First Test Tomorrow, Any Advice?

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Hello. My first test of my first semester is tomorrow. We are working on chapters 1) Vital Signs, 2) Promoting Asepsis and Preventing Infection, 3) Physical Assessment, and 4)Experiencing Health and Illness. I love my teacher but she has given us nothing. No tips other than "read the book" when we have asked. No study guide, very minimal sample questions within the PowerPoint which are a bit vague. I have read each chapter twice, taken notes, and done NCLEX-style questions in our supplemental success book. However, students from another campus had their test today and it seems it did not go well, people that put a lot of time into the chapters like I have. Is there anything else I can do that I'm missing? I'm so nervous not having any idea what to even look for. I have noticed I REALLY have to train myself to only use the info presented in the question and not let my mind go into the possibilities of other situations arising.

It's silly but I already feel a little defeated due to the other campus. I know everyone that has ever gone through nursing school is probably rolling their eyes, saying "Welcome!", and want me to figure it out for myself but any advice would be so highly appreciated.

Specializes in Emergency.

Thanks NuGuyNurse2b. Too bad I let it trick me on the test, dang it! I can't wait to look back on all the silly stuff that is automatic for you! :)

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Congrats on the good score!

For next time, remember answers with "always" and "never" are rarely the correct ones.

Specializes in Emergency Department.
That's great about your daughter! Thanks for the tips! Great way to look at those scenario questions. Good news- I got a 98% on it! I hope that continues through the semester, especially now that I know what to expect with questions. There was one question I didn't get to ask the professor about. "A patient has returned to the floor from surgery on his left leg and has an intravenous line. What is the nurse's most important next step?" The choices were 1) take a full respiratory cycle for one minute 2) take a blood pressure in the arm without the IV 3) take pedal pulses in right and left feet 4)...I don't remember this one but it was way off. The "IV" line threw my attention off (fell for it, lol) so I chose the BP. I asked the professor as far as thought process since it was post-op about assessing breathing but that was incorrect too. It was pedal pulses. Why is this the best choice? Are you just making sure circulation has returned post-op?

That's the kind of question I was alluding to earlier. While all of these are important, only one of them is "more" important and in this case it was the pedal pulse and it's for the very reason you listed. Surgery was done on one leg. If a pedal pulse is "missing" and should be there, that's a priority problem because circulation is impaired.

Something else to remember is that you're being taught "Ivory Tower/NCLEX" nursing. In the real world we may do things in a slightly different pattern, but the priority is still going to be making sure that leg has good circulation. If you have any medical education prior to this, you'll have to get used to thinking about the Ivory Tower way... at least as far as testing is concerned.

Welcome to the ride known as Nursing School!

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