CHANGING THE WAY YOU STUDY TO PREPARE FOR NGN (MEDICAL SURGICAL COURSES)
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OUTLINE for studying with NGN integration
o Use these outlines for any clinical areas that have proctored exams. Follow the
directions on the side.
o Keep the outline short (1-3 pages if possible).
NAME OF THE DISEASE:
DESCRIPTION
COMORBIDITY
RISK FACTORS
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
(Use words,
illustrations or
summaries)
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SIGNS AND
SYMPTOMS
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DIAGNOSTIC TEST
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AND LABS
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OVERVIEW
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INTERPROFESSIONAL 
CARE OR MEDICAL
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MANAGEMENT
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OUTLINE
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ASSESSMENT 
PLANNING 
NURSING
INTERVENTIONS
Use Lewis
In 1 sentence define the disease
There are disorders like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, chemical and
substance abuse that the comorbidities are asked for in NCLEX
Identify the most common risk factors
Prioritize Lewis for the information for the Pathophysiology.
If the pathophysiology is largely neurobiological identify the neurotransmitters that
are affected, the direction of the neurotransmitters, and the corresponding signs
and symptoms
Use concept maps to illustrate or summarize flow of the pathophysiology.
Connect the disease process with signs and symptoms, labs and medical mgt.
You will need to understand the pathophysiology to understand the connection
between meds, labs and diagnostic tests.
Treat all diseases that are opposites as select all that applies (e.g. Hypothyroid,
Hyperthyroid, Cushings and Addison)
Treat diseases in a spectrum as Matrix Multiple Choice (e.g. CAD, Angina, MI)
Prioritize ATI for signs and symptoms!
NGN IS HEAVY ON LABS and meds.
Prioritize ATI for labs and meds !!!
See outline below
Put an outline for all the required interprofessional care or medical mgt.
Use Lewis for this!!!. It will give you the rationale.
Pay attention to the goals of therapy. You will be working with the same goals.
Know which interventions are life saving, which are symptomatic mgt and which
one reverses the cause.
Know all the expected routine orders for a particular case. See sample NGN
question below.
Know if an order is anticipated, contraindicated or not important. See sample NGN
question below.
Use the Nursing Process approach
Use ATI for this
Know first nursing interventions vs. priority nursing interventions
Pull all assessments in 1 box
Your goals here have to be similar with interprofessional goals. Your goals cannot
deviate from the medical orders. Keep your goals simple.
INTERVENTION 
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ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL
EXPECTED MEDICATIONS
AND SHORT
DESCRIPTION OF
PURPOSE
Write down all interventions Assume select all that apply or Matrix Multiple
Choice as how this portion will be asked.
Use ATI for this.
Example Choices:
Stimulating vs. none stimulating environment, single occupancy vs. double
occupancy, type of precautions (airborne, standard etc)
E.g. FOR MI
Morphine to reduce myocardial workload
Nitroglycerine to reduce peripheral vascular resistance
Aspirin as an antiplatelet aggregator
FOR FRACTURES
Morphine to reduce pain
FOR PULMONARY EDEMA
Morphine to reduce shortness of breathe
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ASPIRIN IN RA
To reduce inflammation and promote mobility or to reduce morning stiffness
Use the indication of the medication as to how it is being used for the disorders,
NOT the general purpose of the medications.
Know how to measure clinical effectiveness of the medication WITH the disorder
not the drug.
RECOMMENDED
ACTIVITIES OR SLEEP
REST PROMOTION
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EVALUATION 
DIET
COMPLICATIONS
OVERVIEW (See
table Below)
E.g. increase activity as tolerated, cluster activities, bed rest, bed rest with
commode privilieges
Specify the diet
Use ATI RN Nutrition Book for specific diets
E.g. High K diet- raisins, cantaloupes, apricots, strawberries, bananas
Describe when the patient is ready to be discharged. What signs are you looking
for?
DIAGNOSTIC TEST OUTLINE
Type of Test
And
Description
of purpose
of the test
When is this test
ordered?
(Admission, before
medications, to
check for
complications or
adverse effect)
Expected Results
(Show the
direction)
Is this test diagnostic, does it check for a
complication, does it check for baseline
information? What complication is it
checking for? Highlight in red any test
that is diagnostic or pathognomonic.
COMPLICATIONS
 Addresses bowtie NGN questions.
POSSIBLE
COMPLICATION
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OR
PARAMETER TO REPORT
ACTIONS TO TAKE
(Give at least 5 using the 5 steps of the Nursing
Process)
MEDICAL MGT OUTLINE
THERAPY AND
DESCRIPTION
PURPOSE
EXPECTED RESULTS
DRUG OUTLINE
NAME OF THE DRUG:
PURPOSE OR INDICATION
SIDE EFFECT
ADVERSE EFFECT
MONITORING
NURSING
INTERVENTIONS
NURSING
CONSIDERATIONS IF
ANY