Does This ED Tech Screening Question Seem Odd?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Okay, so I was recently contacted by a nurse recruiter for a local hospital about an ED Tech job. I was thrilled since I have been wanting this particular job for the part 3-4 years.

So everything is going well and she wants to schedule an interview for the following week, but I have to complete a screening test.

This had the typical personality, reading, and math questions. Math and reading about 1 min per question timed. Except-- I came across one of the 7 or so math questions they had and this was it (verbatim):

If the measure, in degrees, of the three angles of a triangle are x, x+10, and 2x-6, the triangle must be...

a)iscosceles

b)equalateral

c)right

d)scalene

Honestly, I've only been out of high school for about 5 years, but what on earth!!?! I could not remember how to do this. Nevertheless, I did not get to schedule an interview because I got this wrong. The other questions were basic +/- x/dividing, decimals, etc. that were very simple and straightforward that I definitely got right.

My big question: How does this question adequately screen whether or not someone is a good fit for an ED Tech job?

I would appreciate any thoughts

-a

since gabby looked it up I would go with that, I was going from memory.

so is the answer 66 or what gabby said?
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
since gabby looked it up I would go with that I was going from memory.[/quote']

I just googled it, did not check for accuracy! ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I find the whole test odd. Is it "normal" in places for ERs to require a "Screening test" (reading writing, math, etc.) in order to get a tech position? This seems pretty pointless to me. I want a hard working tech with common sense knowledge...no someone who can solve an algebraic problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

what is the relevance? makes no sense and dont see how this applies!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I explained it in my first post. they put in things like this, so that they pick a friend/relative for the job, after every one else "failed" the test.

what is the relevance? makes no sense and dont esee how this applies!
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Totally random question and not appropriate, IMO! Made me a laugh, though :)

I also would have gotten it wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I had NO IDEA! What the heck! I would have failed too. It probably had to do with other questions as they were looking for a specific "fit" I hate these kind of tests.

My son a junior in high school, and my daughter a high school senior knew the answer....

x + x + 10 + 2x-6 = 180

4x = 176

So the three triangle sides are

x = 44

x + 10 = 54, and

2x -6 = 82

The triangle is scalene.

Scalene triangles are triangles where each side is a different length. They are unusual in that the are defined by what they are not. Most triangles drawn at random would be scalene. The interior angles of a scalene triangle are always all different. The converse of this is also true - If all three angles aruale different, then the triangle is scalene, and all the sides are different lengths.
http://www.mathopenref.com/scalene.html

Right: one 90 degree angle

Equilateral: all sides equal no angles equal

Scalene: all sides never equal

Isosceles: 2 sides equal two angles equal.

How this applies to a nursing position...I have no idea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's one of those typical critical thinking types of questions - if all 3 angles are different (based on the information given), you can rule out equilateral (all 3 would be the same # of degrees), isosceles (2 are the same) and right (one has to be = to 90 and if that's the case, none can be as big as 2x -6) so the only one left is scalene ... but if you haven't done geometry in a while, this would be a total guess at the answer question ...but what it has to do with selecting someone for an ED tech job I have no idea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hm,,, scalene IS a muscle....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

*Update* Got an interview at a different hospital ED and got an offer on the spot! Just thought I'd update for anyone who may read this in the future and want encouragement to keep trying :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

congratulations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
*Update* Got an interview at a different hospital ED and got an offer on the spot! Just thought I'd update for anyone who may read this in the future and want encouragement to keep trying :)

Good for you!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment