Test-taking Strategies for NCLEX-style Questions

Test-taking Strategies for NCLEX-style Questions 5.0 (1 review) Students also studied Terms in this set (7) Science MedicineNursing Save PN Management Online Practice 20...50 terms larisadawn16Preview ATI Nurselogic 3.0 -> taking the NCL...10 terms s_sagekPreview ATI - NCELX-Style Questions (Asses...

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Mary_GraceMcElveen Preview NCLEX 34 terms ell_ To answer a question posed in a priority item ("Which action should the nurse take first?"), keep the following in

mind:

• All four responses represent actions the nurse should

take.

• Since you can only choose one, it must relate to the

stem (first action, priority finding).

• Use a priority setting framework to determine the

answer Keep what in mind when prioritizing the options?○ Maslow's Hierarchy - For example, a physiological need over a psychosocial need.○ Airway, Breathing, Circulation - For example, establish airway prior to addressing breathing and circulation.○ Least Restrictive/Least Invasive - For example, use the least restrictive or invasive intervention first.○ Acute vs. Chronic - For example, address acute needs before chronic needs.○ Unstable vs. Stable - For example, attend to the needs of the least stable client first.Priority setting frameworks

If you have never heard of the medication in an item, it might not matter. For example, an item tells you the medication is causing nausea and vomiting. What do you do for any client who is nauseated after taking a medication? Giving medication with food often helps. When in doubt, use clinical reasoning skills to lead you to the correct response.Using clinical reasoning

Begin by recognizing who the subject of the question is:

the client, the family, or the nurse. Also recognize that the nurse in most questions is actually you. If the question refers to a coworker, you are the one who is delegating to RNs, PNs, or assistive personnel. - - Then make sure that you understand exactly what the question asks. For example, if it asks which statement requires you to intervene, you are looking for something that is wrong, not something that is right. Watch closely for these types of questions. It is easy to get them wrong because most questions ask for the correct response.Determining what the question is asking In your test-taking experience, you may have changed the correct answer to a wrong answer because you second-guessed yourself. As a competent, entry- level nurse, exercise sound reasoning, but do not underestimate your knowledge and abilities.Avoiding answer changing 1) Identify the subject of the question 2) Identify the strategic word 3) Identify which two answer choices are comparable/alike, and can therefore be eliminated How to avoid over-thinking 1) Identifying the nursing action (e.g. positioning the patient, or whatever the least glamorous and most simple/obvious thing you can do is) 2) Identifying abnormal data (e.g. lab values that require attention) 3) Prioritizing actions (e.g. client safety, ABCs Maslow's hierarchy) Types of content of NCLEX questions