First Test Tomorrow, Any Advice?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hello. My first test of my first semester is tomorrow. We are working on chapters 1) Vital Signs, 2) Promoting Asepsis and Preventing Infection, 3) Physical Assessment, and 4)Experiencing Health and Illness. I love my teacher but she has given us nothing. No tips other than "read the book" when we have asked. No study guide, very minimal sample questions within the PowerPoint which are a bit vague. I have read each chapter twice, taken notes, and done NCLEX-style questions in our supplemental success book. However, students from another campus had their test today and it seems it did not go well, people that put a lot of time into the chapters like I have. Is there anything else I can do that I'm missing? I'm so nervous not having any idea what to even look for. I have noticed I REALLY have to train myself to only use the info presented in the question and not let my mind go into the possibilities of other situations arising.

It's silly but I already feel a little defeated due to the other campus. I know everyone that has ever gone through nursing school is probably rolling their eyes, saying "Welcome!", and want me to figure it out for myself but any advice would be so highly appreciated.

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Just remember that often times the answers are all right just which answer best addresses the question specifically. All answers are correct but which takes priority or is the best answer.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Chances are you'll get questions with two "correct" answers but there will be an answer that may be "more" correct. When you're reading answers, you'll see answers that are almost right and you'll think "that one is pretty much right but if this is true, then it's all correct" but that little "extra" isn't part of the question or what it's asking. You've done a lot of reading, great! That's all now going to be background knowledge that you'll need to draw from in order to answer the questions. The answer will address the question without you having to invent something from thin air in order to answer the question.

Being that this is your first exam, chance are good that it'll ease you into NCLEX-style questions but it'll also probably be the last exam that has quite a few simple "regurgitate the answer" type of questions on it. No matter how you do on this exam, know that it's going to be a bit of a learning curve before you're up to speed on your instructor's exam style.

Really!

It may be tough and unfamiliar, but eventually you'll get the hang of it and you'll look back on your prerequisite course exams with a bit of wistful nostalgia!

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Specializes in Emergency.

AkulahawkRN: Thanks so much for your insight. I feel a bit better. I'm already thinking of those classes fondly. If I had studied for them like I'm studying for this one I'd have a 4.5 GPA! "The answer will address the question without you having to invent something from thin air in order to answer the question." My professor said something similar, I will try to keep this in mind!

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Specializes in Emergency.

To mswtruth: I definitely see this theme! Those darn "select all that apply" questions too. Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
AkulahawkRN: Thanks so much for your insight. I feel a bit better. I'm already thinking of those classes fondly. If I had studied for them like I'm studying for this one I'd have a 4.5 GPA! "The answer will address the question without you having to invent something from thin air in order to answer the question." My professor said something similar, I will try to keep this in mind!

Just curious how do you have higher than an "A"?

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Specializes in Emergency.
Just curious how do you have higher than an "A"?

I don't. It was a joke.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I don't. It was a joke.

LOL ok with all this new stuff sometimes you never know. LOL

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Specializes in Emergency.
LOL ok with all this new stuff sometimes you never know. LOL

I know, lol! I actually did have a 4.1 during high school because I did dual-enrollment with college and it counted as honor credit. So it DOES exist and there are honors programs in colleges but I don't know how far your GPA can go with them. Im just trying not to panic at this point, lol.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I know my daughter had a high GPA because of honors stuff..LOL I thought Hey maybe college too!

Just look at the question. What will kill the patient first. Then if nothing really life threatening...what do they need first to have they best outcome of the problem right now. Then what can I do to help this patient get better faster with the best outcome (least complications).

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Specializes in Emergency.

That's great about your daughter! Thanks for the tips! Great way to look at those scenario questions. Good news- I got a 98% on it! I hope that continues through the semester, especially now that I know what to expect with questions. There was one question I didn't get to ask the professor about. "A patient has returned to the floor from surgery on his left leg and has an intravenous line. What is the nurse's most important next step?" The choices were 1) take a full respiratory cycle for one minute 2) take a blood pressure in the arm without the IV 3) take pedal pulses in right and left feet 4)...I don't remember this one but it was way off. The "IV" line threw my attention off (fell for it, lol) so I chose the BP. I asked the professor as far as thought process since it was post-op about assessing breathing but that was incorrect too. It was pedal pulses. Why is this the best choice? Are you just making sure circulation has returned post-op?

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Yup. ABC's. He's breathing, airway is patent obviously, now you're in the C - circulation. And to think, looking back, I would have struggled with that question in Fundamental. *slaps forehead*

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