how to study for exams...? these are supposedly "NCLEX" style questions

nyteshade, BSN · Sep 4, 2012

A self-taught fundamentals course? A professor that doesn't require you to come to class? You're paying who for this? It's no wonder you feel so unprepared, this doesn't sound like a proper way to introduce "nursing 101" to anyone!

With that said:

-Study the key headings in each section

-Study any vocabulary words

-Answer the practice questions at the end of each chapter or answer the outcomes at the beginning

I'm sorry that's all I got, I really have no idea what your instructor will have in mind.

dmapp63, MSN, RN · Sep 4, 2012

Hi startingovr-

The first thing you must know is that nursing is not about what you KNOW, it's about what you WOULD DO based on what you know. You can read and study all you want, but it's your approach to questions that is key.

The purpose of the NCLEX is to determine whether or not you are minimally "competent" to provide nursing care. "NCLEX style questions" must be read from a "what is the BEST option in light of the question. Pay attention to key words like "first", "priority", "most important" etc. Do not read into questions. Do not ask "but what if"... And do not base your answer on "how they do things at work" (if you are a CNA). The NCLEX world is perfect and questions must be answered based on that perfect world, ---do the best (and right) thing.

Hope this helps. Good luck :)

Dawn

BrisonL · Sep 4, 2012

Startingovr, that sounds like great advice. I so often get tripped up on those keys words in questions...

BrisonL · Sep 4, 2012

I meant Dmapp63...

gatoraims RN · Sep 4, 2012

Nclex review books like Saunders might help. I know that I had a hard time on my first exam in PN school. I ended up with an 89 but felt I could have done much better. Then I got a Sunaders Nclex review book and read the topics associted with each test and then took the end of chapter quiz. Nclex style questions require practice, in my opinion. Good luck!

seriouslyserious, LPN · Sep 5, 2012

Nclex review books like Saunders might help. I know that I had a hard time on my first exam in PN school. I ended up with an 89 but felt I could have done much better. Then I got a Sunaders Nclex review book and read the topics associted with each test and then took the end of chapter quiz. Nclex style questions require practice, in my opinion. Good luck!

i went ahead and purchased that book... 1st exam score was 34/50. ironic, because i did not know (guessed) on 16 of them. our grading scale is 80% or better to PASS the entire course. i am discouraged at the moment. i am hoping i can come back here 6 months from now and post i pass. ha~!

arlette1031 · Sep 5, 2012

im reading the same book for my process class. understanding the difference between nursing diagnoses and medical diagnoses is key!!! i always found myself wanting to answer based on the medical diagnoses but that is not our concern as nurses pay attention to what the patient response is (anything related to the nursing scope) once i understood what nursing diagnoses was i started getting a better grasp of the questions. reading chapters 15-21 opened my eyes and helped me.

libby11 · Sep 9, 2012

My suggestion doesn't sound like a suggestion, but it is what a lot of students, including myself said a semester or two after our first clinical class. Know the material. Don't just memorize the words, but really know the material so you cant think through the questions.

For NCLEX style questions you can NEVER add information to the question. If a question says, "Is driving faster than walking?" You just say yes. You don't add in hypotheticals like "well, what if the car broke down, or what if it was a surface your couldn't drive over, etc. etc." That is where many students faulter, adding info. or twisting the question.

Always underline when the questions says 'except for' or 'NOT.'

Lastly, read the question, really read it. Ask yourself what am I being asked? This seems too simple, but you'll start to realize that you'll get a few wrong because you read it wrong, jumped ahead, OR you chose an answer that is correct, but doesn't answer what the question directly asked.

libby11 · Sep 9, 2012

posted twice. oops.

Care.Bear · Sep 9, 2012

For my classes I read what we are going over in the textbook, read the corresponding topics in the Saunders nclex book, and then once I feel I know the information I see how well I know it by answering practice questions. If you don't understand why you are getting the wrong answers read the rationales and with enough practice they will teach you how to think like a nurse without you even realizing it.

BlueEyedGuy · Sep 9, 2012

This is a tough situation.

People in my class didn't discover these gems until second semester, but Mary Ann Hogan's Reviews and Rationale series is excellent. So, while I can't recommend this book specifically, the author is very good:

http://www.amazon.com/Prentice-Hall-Reviews-Rationales-Fundamentals/dp/0132240785/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347175434&sr=1-4&keywords=mary+ann+hogan

Let's see fundamentals:

-You said you're bombing the practice question, make sure you read the rationales. Getting them wrong is fine as long as you figure out why, that actually makes the learning connection stronger.

-Learn your therapeutic communication questions. There might be a few on every test. Once you learn the formula, these are basically free points. If you guys have ATI there's a good quiz for that under RN Learn System.