Quiz 23: The NCLEX-PN Examination

Quiz 23: The NCLEX-PN Examination

Preparation for the NCLEX-PN examination should include

• cramming difficult concepts the night before the examination.
• rereading each textbook used in the program of study.
• going to a party the evening before the test.
• reviewing content summaries and focusing on identified areas of weakness.

D Identifying areas of weakness and undertaking a systematic study program is a good strategy for preparing for the NCLEX-PN examination.Cramming is rarely effective.Rereading all texts is time-consuming and lacks focus.Relaxing is a good idea,but partying may lead to fatigue and lack of clarity in thinking the next day.Which statement best explains the purpose of the NCLEX-PN examination?

• It is a comprehensive test developed by the NLN and administered at the end

of the nursing program by an instructor.

• It is an examination that measures the minimum competencies needed to

practice practical/vocational nursing.

• It is an LPN/LVN test that allows one to enter an ADN program after

passing the examination.

• It is a comprehensive examination that permits one to function as an

LPN/LVN or RN, depending upon the score attained.B The NCLEX-PN examination measures the minimum competencies required to safely and effectively practice as a newly licensed practical/vocational nurse.The NCLEX-PN examination is administered by a testing agency.The NCLEX-PN does not confer eligibility to enter an ADN program.The NCLEX- RN examination tests information based on its own test plan.

LPN/LVN licensure by endorsement in the United States and its territories is possible because

• English is the spoken language of each locale.
• the NCLEX-PN examination is used by the board of nursing of each locale.
• computer-adaptive testing maximizes testing efficiency.
• the NCLEX-PN examination test plan reflects current practice.

B When the same examination is used,the boards of nursing can be assured that those who pass have the knowledge to practice practical/vocational nursing at a minimally safe and effective level.

What advice should the testing candidate consider the best method for preparing to take the NCLEX-PN examination?

• "Participate in an all-night cram session the night before the test."
• "Rely on your intuition to answer questions when you do not know the

answer."

• "Study throughout the year and review systematically before the exam."
• "Quiz previous graduates about test content and study what they mention."

C Studying for each nursing examination and passing it provides a firm foundation for the NCLEX-PN examination.Systematic review over a number of weeks prior to the NCLEX-PN examination will refresh one's knowledge.Cramming is usually counterproductive,because it results in fatigue and lowers the ability to think clearly during the examination.Better advice is to rule out wrong Answerwers and consider clues and key words found in the stem of the question.With CAT,the topics covered in the questions Answerwered by one person may be quite different from those selected for another person.The practical/vocational nursing student tells a colleague,"I know I'm going to fail the NCLEX-PN examination.I've heard that a huge amount of

the examination is psychology related,and I hated psychology!" The reply that shows the best understanding of the NCLEX-PN examination is

• "You'd better retake the psychology course."
• "There are equal numbers of questions related to each aspect of patient

needs."

• "Psychosocial integrity is the basis for 8% to 14% of the questions."
• "I've heard there's more emphasis on care planning than anything else."

C Psychosocial integrity is the basis for 8% to 14% of the questions of the NCLEX-PN examination test plan.The other options do not show understanding of the current test plan.

The SP/VN reviewing for the NCLEX-PN examination should study based on an understanding that the category of patient need that is most heavily tested is

• the clinical problem-solving process.
• safe, effective care environment.
• health promotion and maintenance.
• physiological integrity.

D The physiological integrity category of client needs includes basic care and comfort,pharmacological therapies,reduction of risk potential,and physiological adaptation.It comprises 41% to 65% of the questions.Questions from the other three categories make up the remainder of the test.The clinical problem-solving process is not a category of patient needs.

One practical/vocational nursing student tells another student,"I'm computer phobic! I never understand what keys I'm supposed to use to get

the thing to work." The reply that shows the best understanding about NCLEX-PN examination testing is

• "No problem! The question comes up on the screen, and you speak the letter

of the correct answer aloud to the voice-activated computer."

• "You answer practice questions before the examination begins to get you

used to using the computer."

• "You'll be able to ask the test proctor for help if you get mixed up."
• "If you can't get the hang of the computer, they'll let you use paper and

pencil." B Answerwering the practice questions provides orientation to the tester.Voice- activated computers are not used.Asking the test proctor for help if you get mixed up and using paper and pencil are not permitted.

When an SP/VN asks for advice about how to "reduce anxiety before the NCLEX-PN examination," the LPN/LVN should respond,"An effective strategy for reducing test anxiety prior to the NCLEX-PN examination is to

• maintain a confident, positive attitude about your abilities and the outcome."
• drink 3 ounces of an alcoholic beverage 30 minutes before the test."
• prepare yourself for the worst by picturing yourself having to reapply."
• use scrap paper to keep track of the number of questions you think you

answered correctly and incorrectly." A Positive thinking reduces anxiety.Testing with mild anxiety is more productive than testing with moderate to high anxiety.Drinking alcohol will interfere with critical thinking.Preparing yourself for the worst by picturing yourself having to reply is negative thinking and raises anxiety.Using scrap paper to keep track of the number of questions you think you Answerwered correctly and incorrectly takes the focus away from thinking critically about the questions and wastes time that could better be used to consider question options.