Advice on study materials/Lab values ?

I've read many posts here in the past about which study materials are best for the NCLEX test. I failed at my first NCLEX attempt and I am going to retake the test within a few weeks. I have been studying Saunder's Comprehensive review, and mostly doing the questions on the disk they provide with their text book. I usually do the quizzes on the disk, and review the rationale and correct answers following each 10-question quiz. I also purchased the Kaplan NCLEX review, and have taken the tests provided as well. I'm still just so beat up and discouraged (as my user name implies), and hopefully I am on the right track this time. I usually average around 70-80 percent on the Saunder's disk quizzes, and I have scored 71%, and 78% on my tests on the Kaplan disk. These numbers may sound decent, but I'm still not sure if I can pull this dern NCLEX test off. Also, I have been trying to get my Lab values instilled in my mind, along with the rationale of why levels would be decreased or elevated. My first test had so many unfamiliar questions, that I felt lost even with the study preparation I had attempted. I'll admit that I was burned out from school, and that I just couldn't cram much more in my head prior to my first test. I was a good student, with decent grades, but I just bumped my head that day... Do you guys think I'll be OK with studying the disks? I seem to study longer if I don't have to sit and read out of text books. Also, has the Saunder's and Kaplan review been beneficail to most of you? And finally, is there a site to get average Lab values, according to what NCLEX will be testing on? I have several resources, and several variations as well on 'normal' Lab values. Thanks everyone for your time, and please keep me in your prayers....

I found that Kaplan was the most helpful even though I did several other disk as well but kaplan included a review that went through the rationale it had the on line review where a person did questions and explained the rationale of why the the answer was the best and it did a lot of priority questions which seemed like the majority of the questions on nclex was like......for values they sell the little pocket nurse notes and it has lab values in it ....I used to keep that will me and always look at the values whenever I could it is pocket size ask in the book store that sells nursing books.........I also did springhouse nclex review ......they where all cd's and that was very helpful I did them all in study mode so I could see if I got them right as I went along plus in study mode they gave you usefull information which served as a review in it self...............good luck perserverence is the best way when all seems bleek the best thing to do is keep working at it and not give up..........it is very hard and I know I could never keep going if I did not vent and pray and talk to people I know would understand take care sis wish you the best

Keep studying the review books, because they teach you the correct way to answer questions, make sure you read all rationales, because they will help you piece things together. Don't get too bogged down in lab values, just remember the big ones like: specific gravity, norm 1.010 (just remember 1010), WBC 4.5-11,000, neutophils make up 60% and they are the first soliders to fight infection, if you have low WBC(leukopenia) just remember patient will need to be in protective isolation. RBC's 4.5-6, Hemoglobin carries oxygen to cell, Female values 12-16 and male 14-18. Hematocrit is % of fluids, ratio of cells to blood, thus indicates hydration level, for female 36-48%, male 40-54%. So for example is hematocrit is high, means patient is dehydrated. Platelets 150-500,000, remember thrombocytopenia, they are the bleeders and you need to watch energy levels. Anytime you see penia just remember it is too little of something. Know your norm for ph 7.35-7.45, high pH alkalosis, low pH acidosis. Sodium 135-145, Potassium 3.5-5. Make sure you know your insulins, preventing hypoglycemia is very important. Just remember when you have peaks you have hypoglycemic events & these patients are prone to infection. Also here are some test-taking strategies: eat before the exam, drink some orange juice just before going into the exam, keep warm, take a sweater so you don't waste body energy, make sure the answer matches the stem, the test is patient centered, so what you as a nurse is going to do is the answer, use your gut & don't change answers, remember airway first, then safety. Hope this helps, good luck!

Thanks a lot for the advice, I really do appreciate it. I'm still trying to study and I hope that I will be ready next week when I go to test. Thanks again for your time in responding to my post. Please pray for me on the 1st of November. Stay cool, and may God bless you and yours... :)

Those were GREAT tips, hayden! *jotting them all down* *L*

Discouraged, you were in my thoughts on Monday...please let us know how you did.

Hopefully, by next week, you'll be celebrating.