Felt like a complete IDIOT !

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Learn why you got the answers wrong and retake the test at a later time.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

..and always read the study materials that they give you to study.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

LOL Sorry but I laughed out loud at the bleeding question---ya know if I would have seen the response pale skin with out reading the rest of the choices I would have picked it too...your right pale skin, but of course you know the soaked clothes is a better!! LOL...give yourself a break...You did fine, you boss doesnt care it is just a form thier boss is making them give the staff....

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Thanks everyone ! I did tell my boss about how bad I felt about the exam. She said she is still going to pass me, but I need to review the book and fill out the work book.

She also told me that many nurses get questions wrong also. She says sometimes the nurses try challenge some of the questions. That made me feel alot better. I do understand why I got them wrong. Next time, I'll be sure to get everyone of them correct. Thanks for the support. -sigh

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 21, 2009

. Today, I had to take the test for my first aid certification by the school system, given by my boss. The test had 25 questions I got 5 wrong. Its like I make A's and B's on nursing exams, but totally bombed this easy first aid exam. Here are the questions I got wrong.
What is the initial assessment of someone who has severe bleeding ?
I picked: pale skin
The correct answer was: Soaked clothing with blood.
How long do you flush an eye that has a chemical in it ?
I picked for 5 minutes
Correct answer is: 20 minutes
What do you do to control bleeding ?
My answer: apply a tourniqet (spelling) above the wound
Correct answer: apply direct pressure to the wound
I got another question wrong, about how to position a client who had a stroke.
What do you do for a victim who has constant chest pain ?
I picked: Give aspirin and wait ten minutes
Right answer: Call 911 right away
I feel like such a failure. I'm embarrassed and can't believe how a nursing student who made wonderful grades can get the most easiest questions wrong. I don't know what I was thinking. I should of reviewed the book she gave me, but I assumed it was going to be an easy exam. I hope being on such a long break hasn't allowed me to forget everything I learned.
Well, vent is over... Thanks for reading.:zzzzz

This is a joke right ?

Your just kidding ?

Give an ASA and wait 10 mins ?

Wait 10 mins for what ?

Apply a tourniquet to a bleeding wound ?

No.. Even a combat medic knows that the only time to apply a tourn to a wound is if they are still in a firefight and the medic has to stop bleeding and still throw suppressive fire down. Always try a dressing first if at all possible

Eye irrigation ?

5 mins isnt long enough, 20 plus is better

Back to the bleeding part

think of simple.. bleeding.. your going to notice the bleeding first, not pale skin, what if it is dark outside...

Reread the book

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Okay Patrick1RN.... I already have beaten my self up over this and don't need anyone else to show me of how much of a idiot I was. Thanks for your clarification though. I learned my lesson, and will reread the book next time.

Saifudin · Jan 21, 2009

"I should of reviewed the book she gave me, but I assumed it was going to be an easy exam."

I think you answered your own question.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 21, 2009

I think what you also have to remember is nursing isn't first aid, as nurses we are used to certain equipment being available where first aid is different and in a lot of cases equipment isn't to hand. There are going to be times when you fail something you think you should know, all you can do is learn from it and move on.

RNKITTY04 · Jan 21, 2009

Actually you have just learned two valuable lessons, 1) Always read the material they give you even if you think you know the info as they always throw in some off the wall stuff, and 2) Don't go around telling random nurses about your failures, just learn your lessons and keep it to yourself, because someone like patrick1RN is always going to be there to rub salt in your wound. (munch munch, eating the young )

jjjoy, LPN · Jan 21, 2009

I know that learning how to pass instructor's NCLEX style tests in nursing school negatively impacted my overall study habits when it came to other classes. With some instructor's NCLEX style questions, knowing how the read the question could mean more chance of choosing the right answer than having concrete facts memorized and ready to apply. Reading the assigned texts rarely helped with improving my test scores (though very important to applied learning in clinical). Because tests focused so much on "critical thinking", actualy content often wasn't tested on. The content was in the questions and answers but not always necessary to figure out the "best" answer.

After nursing school tests, taking straight forward tests where the obvious answer is in fact the correct answer and where textbook material is directly tested upon can throw on for a loop!

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Take your time when you take tests that you think should be easy or a breeze.

I was in nursing school and had my fundamentals but wanted to be a CNA in a nursing home...since had classes in nursing school, all I needed to do was take the cna exam. Lucky the instructor gave me a second chance that day....I would have failed for the most stupid mistakes...I think one was not covering a pt enough during a back rub and not warming the lotion before I rubbed. Stuff you do every day, but I was rushing to complete and "easy" task.