NCLEX Prep Study Plan: Circulation of Blood Through the Human Heart

This is a comprehensive study plan tailored for nursing students studying the circulation of blood through the human heart. This plan supports learning in cardiovascular medical surgical courses and prepares students effectively for the NCLEX exam. It is structured over three weeks, building a strong foundation in heart anatomy and physiology, followed by clinical applications and exam preparation. The plan incorporates active learning techniques and recommended resources to enhance understanding and retention. Learn More at campnursingschool.com

Nursing students in cardiovascular medical surgical courses preparing for the NCLEX.

Duration: 3 weeks (adjustable based on individual needs).

Week 1: Anatomy of the Heart

The first week focuses on mastering the structural components of the heart, which is essential for understanding how blood flows through it.

• Day 1-2: Learn the Four Chambers

• Study the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.

• Understand their locations and functions (e.g., right side handles deoxygenated blood, left side handles oxygenated blood).

• Use diagrams to label each chamber and visualize their positions.

• Day 3-4: Study the Four Valves

• Learn the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves.

• Identify their locations and roles (e.g., tricuspid between right atrium and ventricle, aortic between left ventricle and aorta).

• Use a mnemonic like "Try Pullover, My Aunt" (Tricuspid, Pulmonary, Mitral, Aortic) to remember the order.

• Day 5: Focus on Major Blood Vessels

• Study the superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, and aorta.

• Understand their roles: vena cava brings deoxygenated blood to the heart, pulmonary veins bring oxygenated blood from the lungs, etc.

• Draw and label these vessels on a heart diagram.

• Day 6: Review All Anatomical Structures

• Use flashcards or an app (e.g., Anki) to test recall of chambers, valves, and vessels.

• Practice drawing the heart from memory, labeling all key parts.

• Day 7: Rest or Catch-Up

• Take a break or review any challenging concepts from the week.

Active Learning Tip: Create a large, labeled heart diagram and display it in your study space for constant visual reinforcement.

Week 2: Physiology of Blood Circulation

The second week explores how blood moves through the heart and the role of the heart’s electrical system.

• Day 1: Learn the Path of Blood Flow

• Memorize the sequence:
  Body → Right Atrium → Tricuspid Valve → Right Ventricle → Pulmonary Valve → Pulmonary Artery → Lungs → Pulmonary Veins → Left Atrium → Mitral Valve → Left Ventricle → Aortic Valve → Aorta → Body.

• Create a flowchart or use a mnemonic (e.g., "RAt TricK, RV Pulls PAst Lungs, LAughs MitAunt, LV AOrts Body").

• Day 2: Study the Cardiac Cycle

• Learn the phases: systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation).

• Understand what happens in each chamber during these phases (e.g., ventricles contract during systole to pump blood).

• Day 3: Learn About Heart Sounds

• Study normal heart sounds: S1 ("lub") for tricuspid and mitral valve closure, S2 ("dub") for pulmonary and aortic valve closure.

• Listen to recordings to recognize normal vs. abnormal rhythms.

• Day 4: Introduction to the Heart’s Electrical System

• Learn the components: SA node (pacemaker), AV node, bundle of His, and Purkinje fibers.

• Understand their roles in initiating and conducting electrical impulses.

• Day 5: Relate Electrical Activity to ECG Readings

• Study basic ECG components: P wave (atrial depolarization), QRS complex (ventricular depolarization), T wave (ventricular repolarization).

• Practice identifying normal sinus rhythm on ECG strips.

• Day 6: Review Physiology Concepts

• Explain the entire process of blood flow and the cardiac cycle to a study partner or aloud.

• Use animations or videos to visualize the process.

• Day 7: Rest or Review

• Take a break or revisit any difficult topics.

Active Learning Tip: Watch animated videos (e.g., from Khan Academy or Osmosis) to see blood flow and the cardiac cycle in action.

Week 3: Clinical Applications and NCLEX Prep

The final week integrates anatomy and physiology with clinical knowledge and exam preparation.

• Day 1: Study Common Cardiovascular Conditions

• Focus on conditions like myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, arrhythmias, and valve disorders.

• Understand how these affect blood flow (e.g., heart failure causes blood backup).

• Day 2: Learn About Diagnostic Tests

• Study tests like echocardiograms (ultrasound of the heart), angiograms (vessel imaging), and ECGs.

• Know what each test reveals about heart function and circulation.

• Day 3: Understand Nursing Interventions

• Learn priority actions for cardiovascular patients (e.g., monitoring vital signs, administering medications like nitroglycerin, patient education).

• Focus on interventions that support or improve circulation.

• Day 4: Practice NCLEX-Style Questions

• Use resources like UWorld or Kaplan to answer multiple-choice questions on heart anatomy, physiology, and clinical scenarios.

• Review rationales for all answers to deepen understanding.

• Day 5: Work Through Case Studies

• Apply knowledge to patient scenarios (e.g., identifying heart failure symptoms or interpreting abnormal heart sounds).

• Discuss or write out your reasoning for each case.

• Day 6: Review Weak Areas

• Focus on topics where you struggled during practice questions or case studies.

• Use additional resources (e.g., textbooks or tutorials) to reinforce these areas.

• Day 7: Rest Before the Exam

• Take a break to ensure you’re mentally prepared, or lightly review key concepts.

Learn More at campnursingschool.com and get the Complete Nursing School Study System!