158 characters · 12 NCLEX sections · 6 weeks
The Character Roadmap
Exactly which mnemonic characters cover each NCLEX section — and the order to study them in. Remember the NCLEX. Don't memorize it.
How to use each week
- 1. Meet the character
- 2. Understand the concept
- 3. Remember it
- 4. Practice it
- 5. Review the rationale
- 6. Master it
Week 1
Endocrine & Metabolic
21 characters
Start where the body's chemistry is written on the patient — acid–base, electrolytes and the hormone emergencies the exam reuses everywhere else.
Endocrine & Metabolic
21 characters- Acidotic AndyMetabolic Acidosis
- Alkalotic AliceMetabolic Alkalosis
- Panicking PamRespiratory Alkalosis
- Potassium PeteHyperkalemia
- Low-K LenaHypokalemia
- Salty SalHypernatremia
- Diluted DanaHyponatremia / SIADH
- Chvostek ChuckHypocalcemia
- Stony StellaHypercalcemia
- Magnesium MaggieMagnesium Imbalance
- Ketone KyleDiabetic Ketoacidosis
- Hyperosmolar HankHyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State
- Storming ToriThyroid Storm
- Sluggish MyraMyxedema Coma
- Addison AdaAdrenal Crisis
- Cushing CoraCushing's Syndrome
- Dry DwayneDiabetes Insipidus
- Phosphate FranklinPhosphorus Imbalance: The Calcium See-Saw & Binders With Meals
- Overloaded OliveFluid Volume Overload: Crackles, Bounding Pulse & Stop the Infusion
- Slow-Drip DeliaIV Potassium Safety: Never Push, Always Dilute, Always Pump
- Levo LucyLevothyroxine: Empty Stomach, Same Time, Lifelong — and the Signs of Too Much
Week 2
Cardiovascular
15 characters
Perfusion and priority. Learn the three shocks side by side, then the chronic heart patients that carry the teaching questions.
Cardiovascular
15 characters- Septic SamDistributive Shock
- Pumpless PaulCardiogenic Shock
- Bleeding BeaHypovolemic Shock
- Failing FrankHeart Failure
- Infarcting IvanMyocardial Infarction
- Fibrillating FayAtrial Fibrillation
- Warfarin WallyAnticoagulation
- Crisis CamilaHypertensive Crisis
- Aneurysm ArturoAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Claudicating ClaraPeripheral Arterial Disease vs Venous Insufficiency
- Endocarditis EliInfective Endocarditis
- Pericardial PearlPericarditis & Cardiac Tamponade
- Valve VeraValvular Heart Disease & Rheumatic Fever
- Paced PiaPacemakers & ICDs
- Clotted CliffDeep Vein Thrombosis & VTE Prevention
Week 3
Respiratory & Neurological
22 characters
Airway first, then the floor where a small change is the whole question. These two pair naturally with Week 1's acid–base characters.
Respiratory
11 characters- Retaining RayRespiratory Acidosis
- Embolic EmmaPulmonary Embolism
- Rigid RitaARDS
- Wheezing WandaAsthma Exacerbation
- Consolidated CarlPneumonia
- Coughing KipTuberculosis
- Vented VinceMechanical Ventilation
- Barrel BartCOPD
- Collapsing CallumTension Pneumothorax & Chest Tubes: Tracheal Deviation and the Water Seal
- Trach TomasTracheostomy & Suctioning Safety: Oxygenate First, Suction Out Only
- Oxygen OmarOxygen Delivery Devices: Matching the Mask to the Need — and Fire Safety
Neurological
11 characters- Pressured PriyaIncreased Intracranial Pressure
- Stroke StanIschemic Stroke
- Seizing SimoneSeizures & Status Epilepticus
- Reflexive RexSpinal Cord Injury & Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Myasthenic MargeMyasthenia Gravis & Myasthenic Crisis
- Climbing GaryGuillain-Barré Syndrome
- Tremor TomasParkinson's Disease
- Meningitis MiaBacterial Meningitis: Stiff Neck, Droplet Precautions & Rapid Antibiotics
- Sclerosis SadieMultiple Sclerosis: Demyelination, Relapses & Heat Intolerance
- Ascending AbeGuillain-Barré Syndrome: Weakness That Climbs Toward the Lungs
- Retinal RheaRetinal Detachment: The Curtain, the Flashes and the Painless Emergency
Week 4
GI, Renal & Pharmacology
33 characters
The clean-up systems and the drugs that bite back — intake and output, potassium, bleeding, and check-then-treat habits.
Gastrointestinal & Renal
15 characters- Ammonia AmyCirrhosis & Hepatic Encephalopathy
- Anuric AlanAcute Kidney Injury
- Pancreatic PabloAcute Pancreatitis
- Tarry TaraUpper GI Bleed & Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Blocked BrunoBowel Obstruction
- Appendix AnnieAppendicitis & Peritonitis
- Gallstone GinaCholecystitis & Cholelithiasis
- Crohn's ColinInflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's vs Ulcerative Colitis)
- Diverticular DeeDiverticulitis
- Hepatitis HugoViral Hepatitis A, B & C
- Dialysis DinaChronic Kidney Disease & Hemodialysis
- Kidney KwameUTI & Pyelonephritis
- Prostate PercyBPH & TURP Care
- Glomerular GretaPost-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis: The Tea-Colored Urine After the Sore Throat
- Ostomy OscarOstomy Care: The Rose-Red Stoma and the Skin That Must Stay Whole
Pharmacology
18 characters- Anaphylactic AnaAnaphylaxis
- Shaky ShawnaHypoglycemia
- Digoxin DotDigoxin Toxicity
- Insulin IkeInsulin Types, Peaks & Administration Safety
- Vanco VicAntibiotic Toxicity & Therapeutic Drug Levels
- ACE AngieACE Inhibitors: Cough, Angioedema & Hyperkalemia
- Beta BettyBeta Blockers: Apical Pulse, Masked Hypoglycemia & Rebound
- Lasix LarryLoop Diuretics: Hypokalemia & Ototoxicity
- Lithium LilaLithium: Therapeutic Levels, Toxicity & Sodium Balance
- Tyramine TessaMAOIs & the Tyramine Hypertensive Crisis
- Nitro NinaNitroglycerin: Sublingual Rules, Headache & Dangerous Combinations
- Heparin HollyHeparin: aPTT, Protamine Sulfate & HIT
- Phenytoin PhilPhenytoin: Narrow Range, Nystagmus & Gummy Smiles
- Warfarin WinnieWarfarin & INR: Vitamin K, Bleeding Precautions and the Salad Problem
- Steroid StanCorticosteroid Therapy: Never Stop Abruptly, Watch Sugar and Hidden Infection
- Vanco VeraVancomycin: Slow the Infusion, Watch the Trough, Protect the Kidneys and Ears
- PCA PabloPCA & Opioid Safety: Only the Patient Presses the Button
- Pressure PamAntihypertensive Classes: Orthostatic Safety and Client Teaching
Week 5
Maternal, Newborn & Mental Health
26 characters
Two patients in one bed, then the wing where safety comes before treatment. Both are heavily tested and easy to leave until too late.
Maternal & Newborn
13 characters- Preeclamptic PennyPreeclampsia & Magnesium Sulfate
- Gushing GwenPostpartum Hemorrhage & Uterine Atony
- Previa PaulaPlacenta Previa
- Abrupting AbbyPlacental Abruption
- Sugary SelenaGestational Diabetes
- Decel DinaFetal Heart Rate Decelerations & Intrapartum Monitoring
- Yellow YusufNewborn Hyperbilirubinemia & Phototherapy
- Cord CallieUmbilical Cord Prolapse
- Feverish FionaPostpartum Infection & Mastitis
- Hyperemesis HazelHyperemesis Gravidarum: Vomiting, Ketones & Dehydration
- Mastitis MabelMastitis: Flu-Like Fever, a Red Wedge & Keep Nursing
- Labor LenaStages of Labor and the Normal Newborn Assessment
- Ectopic EricaEctopic Pregnancy: The Pain on One Side and the Shoulder That Screams Rupture
Mental Health
13 characters- Sober SullyAlcohol Withdrawal & Delirium Tremens
- Manic MiaBipolar Mania & Lithium Toxicity
- Voices VictorSchizophrenia & Antipsychotic Side Effects (EPS, NMS, tardive dyskinesia)
- Sinking SadieMajor Depression & Suicide Risk
- Flashback FelixPTSD & Panic Disorder
- Narcan NateOpioid Overdose & Withdrawal
- Mirror MilaAnorexia Nervosa & Refeeding Syndrome
- Serotonin SylviaSerotonin Syndrome
- Confused ConnieDelirium vs Dementia & Restraint Alternatives
- Anorexic AvaAnorexia Nervosa: Starvation, Bradycardia & Refeeding Syndrome
- Obsessive OwenOCD: Obsessions, Compulsions & Anxiety Relief
- Sundowning SidAlzheimer's Disease: Sundowning, Safety and Calm Redirection
- Listening TheoTherapeutic Communication: What to Say, and What Never to Say
Week 6
Peds, Critical Care, Safety & Assessment
48 characters
Finish with the sections built on recognising normal, then close the loop with precautions, multi-system failure and quiet findings.
Pediatrics
14 characters- Barking BennyCroup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)
- Wheezy WinnieBronchiolitis & RSV
- Sickled SimonSickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Crisis
- Cystic CassieCystic Fibrosis
- Strawberry KaiKawasaki Disease
- Telescope TommyIntussusception
- Droopy DaniInfant Dehydration & Gastroenteritis
- Leaded LiamLead Poisoning
- Kawasaki KenjiKawasaki Disease: Five Days of Fever & the Coronary Threat
- Nephrotic NolanChildhood Nephrotic Syndrome: Puffy Eyes, Frothy Urine & Protein Loss
- Croupy CoraCroup vs Epiglottitis: The Barking Cough and the Child You Never Lie Down
- Milestone MayaGrowth, Development and Age-Appropriate Safety
- Tet Spell TildaTetralogy of Fallot: The Blue Spell and the Squat That Saves It
- Pyloric PiperPyloric Stenosis: The Olive, the Fountain and the Hungry Baby
Critical Care
4 characters- Lysing LuisTumor Lysis Syndrome
- Clotless ClaraDisseminated Intravascular Coagulation
- Burned BellaBurns & Fluid Resuscitation
- Phantom PetraAmputation Care: The Limb That Is Gone but Still Hurts
Safety & Infection Control
16 characters- Neutropenic NiaNeutropenia & Chemotherapy Precautions
- Transfusing TinaBlood Transfusion Reactions
- Spore SeanClostridioides difficile & Isolation Precautions
- CD4 HanaHIV & Opportunistic Infections
- Delegating DebDelegation, Assignment & Scope of Practice
- Triage TheoDisaster Triage & Prioritization
- Consent CarmenInformed Consent, Advance Directives & Privacy
- Quarantined QuinnTuberculosis: Airborne Precautions, Rifampin and the Orange Secret
- Shingles SheilaHerpes Zoster: The One-Sided Band of Blisters and Airborne Rules
- Central Line CesarCentral Lines & Air Embolism: Clamp It, Position It, Protect It
- Infiltrated IvyInfiltration vs Extravasation vs Phlebitis: Cool and Swollen or Red and Warm
- Feeding FionaEnteral Feeding & Aspiration Prevention: Head of Bed Up, Placement Verified
- Post-Op PriyaPostoperative Complications: The Day-by-Day Timeline Every Nurse Watches
- Restraint RitaRestraints & Fall Prevention: Least Restrictive First, and the Order Rules
- Vaccine VivianImmunizations: Live Vaccines, Real Contraindications and the Reactions to Expect
- TPN TessaTotal Parenteral Nutrition: High Sugar, Central Line, and Never Stop It Suddenly
Health Assessment
14 characters- Pale PriscillaIron Deficiency Anemia
- Butterfly BellaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Compartment CodyFractures & Compartment Syndrome
- Ulcer UmaPressure Injury Staging & Prevention
- Rhabdo RoryRhabdomyolysis: Tea-Colored Urine, Potassium & Kidney Rescue
- Osteo OpalOsteoporosis: Silent Bone Loss, Fall Prevention & Bisphosphonates
- Glaucoma GloriaGlaucoma: Silent Peripheral Loss vs Acute Angle-Closure Emergency
- Gout GusGout: Uric Acid Crystals, the Angry Big Toe & Purine Teaching
- Meniere MiraMeniere's Disease: Vertigo, Tinnitus & Hearing Loss
- Rheumatoid RosaRheumatoid Arthritis: Symmetric Joints, Morning Stiffness & DMARDs
- Fractured FridaHip Fracture & Fat Embolism: The Shortened Leg and the Confusion That Follows
- Pressure UlrichPressure Injury Staging: Redness That Blanches and Wounds You Never Massage
- Screening SamCancer Warning Signs and Screening Teaching
- B12 BiancaPernicious Anemia: The Beefy Red Tongue and the Wobbly Walk
Keep the whole roadmap in one place
The Recall Binder is your MnemoNurse memory system in one place — every character, organized section by section for review before and after practice.