NCLEX Priority Rhythm

(let's

go, let's pass this) Read the last line,

know what they ask,

“First,” “best,” “priority”—that’s your task.

“Needs follow-up,”

“teaching,” “who comes next?”

Find the question hiding in the text.

Name the topic, find the clue,

What is the patient going through?

Stable or changing? Expected or new?

What is the safest thing to do?

Read the ask, find the threat,

Airway, breathing, circulation—don’t forget!

Acute before chronic, unstable first,

Actual problems beat risks at their worst.

Cross out danger, think it through,

Choose the best—not just what could do!

Stay calm, trust your nursing sight— Safety is your guiding light!

Before choices speak, predict the way:

“What would I do if they hid the array?”

Then eliminate answers that cause delay,

Ignore emergencies, or lead astray.

If airway’s blocked or breathing’s low,

If bleeding or shock begins to show,

If altered, septic, or sugar’s down,

Treat the life threat—don’t look around.

Nursing process: assess, plan,

Implement,

evaluate the span.

When details are missing,

assess first, But don’t delay an emergency’s burst.

For medications, check the signs: Pulse,

pressure, breathing, labs, and lines.

Beta blockers—heart rate low?

Opioids—respirations show?

Digoxin—pulse and potassium, too; Insulin—watch for a glucose drop-through.

If two seem right,

pick what is:

Most urgent, safest, and specific.

Protects life, fits your scope,

Solves the problem, gives the most hope.

Read the words:

not, except, first, Those little terms

can change the verse.

Breathe in slowly, let doubt

go— You know more than you think you know!

Read the ask, find the threat,

Airway, breathing, circulation—don’t forget!

Assess the patient, prioritize,

Eliminate harm, then analyze.

Acute before chronic, safety first,

Choose the best when choices burst.

Stay calm, be confident,

think it through— You’re ready for the test; believe in you!

(you got this!)