First Test Failed: Pls refer me any critical thinking reference book.

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I am in the first semester nursing for Associates degree. We had our first test of this semester and I didnot do good at all. I really studied hard my text book Fundamentals of nursing by Potter and Perry. But still hanging there. Can someone refer me a book where I can practice critical thinking questions related to the book. First semester is more basic with topics like Ethical and Legal part, Physiological and psychological condition of clients, etc. I have reviewed few N-CLEX books but they have too much higher level topics which we have not covered at all. So please guide me.

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Specializes in ICCU - cardiac.

Everyone has their own way of studying, ie, solo, in groups, etc. Also, how they study. Are you a visual, auditory, writing learner? Do you make flashcards, do ch. review questions? You need to find the best method to retain the material. The NCLEX review helps you understand the nursing tests and the rationale. When I take a test, I always underline the cue words and ask myself what is the question asking, WITHOUT reading into it. Is it a priority, knowledge, analysis, action etc. I then read the answers, reread the question and 2 off the top are wrong. Then look at the remaining 2 and reread the question again. It's a process of elimination. These type of tests take getting used to so having one under your belt, you will do better next time. When studying, know the nurse's role, responsibility. Please review your test and see what you are having a problem with. You can study your tail off but you have to study the right stuff. It's so typical not to do as well on the first test. These are tests unlike any other so don't beat yourself up! But it's imperative you understand why you made the mistakes you did to avoid that in the future.

Good luck!:)

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Specializes in LTC.

What helped me do good on my first exam was a book called TEST SUCCESS. It really builds your critical thinking and give you practice nclex style questions with rationales.

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Fundamentals Success is a great book. A few of our exam questions came from that book. I got an A on our first exam by using the Fundamentals Success book, the modules in Potter & Perry and the NCLEX questions after each chapter. When I practiced NCLEX questions I made sure to read all the rationales too.

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A pet peeve of mine is how nursing education has co-opted the term "critical thinking" to mean interpreting NCLEX style test questions. "Critical thinking" refers to the general practice of working through problem by considering several different aspects & pulling upon various avenues of knowledge and experience - as opposed to simply regurgitating memorized facts or working through a set formula. Critical thinking can be applied in many different areas of life - not just nursing. You can use critical thinking to decide what's the best home mortgage for your needs or how to get your kids to eat more veggies.

You can't ace a nursing test with critical thinking alone. You also need to understand how NCLEX style questions are usually written and how to pick the "best" answer. Which is why practicing NCLEX style questions is probably one of the best ways to improve your test scores if you are otherwise doing well. Even just having taken a test or two already will probably increase your chances of doing better on the next tests because you have a better idea of what to expect that you did before.

I can see your point about some NCLEX books' content being too far beyond the basics of first term. Maybe there's a better book out there for your needs (check out the suggestions here) than the one that you've looked at.

Good luck!

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I like medspub.com. It's a pay site, but it has lots of general and specialized ques.s. You take the tests on there and it grades you and then you can review the test, see which ones you missed and it gives you explanations why you missed them.

A lot of the ques.s follow the ADPIE (nursing process). It's a good tool to help you pass tests in nsg. school and the nclex.

Also I bought some nclex prep books. Those help me too. :typing

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