by Geena

Hi!
I was wondering whether these questions, which require you to write an answer; really appear in the NCLEX.

I keep failing questions to which I know the answer, just because the computer did not like the way I formulated my answer.
Example: The patient has a s-ca level of 12 mg/dl. Is this level high or low and what is the normal s-ca level? ___________________________

My answer was; high, normal s-ca level is 8.6 - 10 mg/dl

and it was incorrect followed with a really elaborated answer stating exactly the same, just using different words. I know the key issue is understanding the question and analysing the situation; but with these Q's - how can you get it right?!!!!

NCLEX takers; do these questions really come up in the exam?

Worried Geena

Re: Saunders and 'open questions' ...

When I took my NCLEX last summer the only "fill in the blanks" I got were medication calculations which only required numbers. Hopefully it will ease your mind to know that there are directions at the beginning of the test that tell you exactly how to "format" your answers. I remember I had a lot of anxiety over this as well. I used Saunders as well and passed in 75 questions. Good luck!