Advise pls re: pointers for NCLEX exam

janine3&5 · Jul 27, 2001

Hey!

That Springhouse book is great, I also used it to help prepare.

I just took my boards a few weeks ago, and the test really focused on prioritizing care. For example, questions like, "You're just starting your shift, these are your four patients, who do you need to see first?" Then you choose from the four descriptions of pt conditions. Or, "There's a disaster situation, and you need to open up beds......." Then you decide which patients are stable enough to be d/c.

Also, delegating care; deciding pt assignments for an LPN vs an RN.

Quite a few questions on growth and development, too.

From what I understand, there's no guarantee that your test will focus on these areas as each test is different. However, many people that I graduated with agreed that these areas were hit pretty hard.

Just remember your ABCs and the steps of the nursing process, and you'll be fine. My test cut off at 75 questions, and from what I've read on this board as well as what my classmates have told me, the majority shut off somewhere around this point. Keep in mind, though, that you may answer all the way up to 265 questions and pass as well. A lot of people hit that 75 question mark and then start to panic, thinking they're not doing well, but that's not the case. Stay focused on the questions and don't worry about how many questions you have to answer.

Good luck to you and keep us posted !

Janine

RNforLongTime · Jul 28, 2001

I took my NCLEX-RN in August of 1997. I had 110 questions and finished in about an hour and a half. I passed!

My advice to you would be to relax the night before the exam. Do not stay up late for some last minute cramming! There is such a thing as overstudying.

I studied from about 5 or 6 different NCLEX-RN review books. I found that the most helpful one was the one put out by the NSNA. Also, the Lippincott review book was good as it had about 3000 practice questions. I attended a seminar before I took boards and the woman told us that if you did about 5000 practice questions that you should be able to pass the exam.

I also used the CD ROMS from Mosby and one by the American Nurses Review and those too were helpful. I didn't overstudy but felt that on the morning of my exam that if I dont know the material by now that I never would.

There were a lot of questions regarding the prioritizing of patient care! Remember your abc's(Airway, Breathing and Circulation). Try to remember the antidotes for certain drugs like heparin, coumadin, narcotic analgesics etc. I had one of those questions on my boards!

Good Luck and let us know how things turn out for you!

Kelly:)

yana94 · Aug 1, 2001

Originally posted by kaknurse
I took my NCLEX-RN in August of 1997. I had 110 questions and finished in about an hour and a half. I passed!

My advice to you would be to relax the night before the exam. Do not stay up late for some last minute cramming! There is such a thing as overstudying.

I studied from about 5 or 6 different NCLEX-RN review books. I found that the most helpful one was the one put out by the NSNA. Also, the Lippincott review book was good as it had about 3000 practice questions. I attended a seminar before I took boards and the woman told us that if you did about 5000 practice questions that you should be able to pass the exam.

I also used the CD ROMS from Mosby and one by the American Nurses Review and those too were helpful. I didn't overstudy but felt that on the morning of my exam that if I dont know the material by now that I never would.

There were a lot of questions regarding the prioritizing of patient care! Remember your abc's(Airway, Breathing and Circulation). Try to remember the antidotes for certain drugs like heparin, coumadin, narcotic analgesics etc. I had one of those questions on my boards!

Good Luck and let us know how things turn out for you!

Kelly:)

Thank you so much for all the informations and words of encouragement that you shared. At least I will be guided with my review.

I'll keep you posted after I take the exam.

Yana :)

hannabear1 · Aug 2, 2001

Hi! I just took my boards mon. and it shut off at "75" and I didn't know what to think but I found out 2 days later that I passed-thank god!- I too used the springhouse study questions mostly. and I took a review class which helped tremendously. like everyone else says, remember ABC's, maslow's hierarchy, prioritizing care, APIE(assessing before implementing), and delegating-I got a lot of those questions-even a couple like 'a pediatric RN floats to med./surg. floor for the day, which patient would you assign them?' I got a mix of everything. also be sure to know the IV calculation formula in case you get a math question-and know your lab values too. my class also told us that if one of the answers says "call the physician," it's most likely not the answer.

good luck! I'm sure you'll do great-just stay focused!!!!

also, take your time when answering each question and read every choice before anwering.... :rolleyes: