how to do better on prioritization questions

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my medsurge professor's exams are like the nclex exam questions. I seem to be struggling with the prioritization questions. I narrow it down to the last two or three answer choices (most of the time, the right answer being one of those), but then cannot eliminate any more, and for most part, get those questions wrong. What can i do do improve on those types of questions? Can anyone give me any advice on how to do better? If you could, i would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Always choose Airway! - LOL.

Srsly, think in terms of Airway, Breathing, Circulation (in that order) as the highest priorities when it comes to patient interventions for physical status questions. This never changes. So, if you can connect the choices to those ABC's it helps to set your priorities. That's where your A&P knowledge comes in - knowing which issues/symptoms indicate problems with which of the ABCs.

For more general types of questions - there are a couple of models that can help you. Think about maintaining patient safety & Maslow's Hierarchy. Think about potential or actual 'safety' issues at each level of the triangle... starting at the bottom (which is actually related to the ABCs). What is the most dangerous thing that could happen? Preventing this would be your highest priority, proceeding up the hierarchy to establish other priorities.

It may not be any comfort, but effective prioritization is the basis for critical thinking & time management; two elements that are kryptonite for new grads. If you can 'get' this now - your transition into practice will be much easier.

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what about vital signs? My professors answer choices have BP, temperature, etc... How do you know when those are the right answers?

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http://dorasnursing.tumblr.com/image/43649363746

I found this a few months ago and it has helped!

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Specializes in ED.

Know the normal values for vital signs, but even those can be linked to the ABCs. For example, if my patient has a BP of 90/46, but RR of 9....I'm not so concerned about the low BP, especially if the pulse ox is below 90. But it depends on what exactly is being asked.

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thank you all! this is very helpful!

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