Help with NCLEX style questions!

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2014

When you narrow down the answers, what criteria are you using to decide which is "most correct"? Do you find yourself going against your instincts? Going back and changing the answer? Or is your first choice the wrong one? If it's your first choice, remember to use the ABC's and Maslow's hierarchy of needs to help you select the best choice.

And practice, practice, practice. The more questions you do, the better you'll get. So consider going on amazon and getting a book of NCLEX questions to practice. Even if you're not prepping for NCLEX (yet) you'll better learn how to answer the questions. And probably even help your nursing knowledge in the process.

HilariousNurse · Sep 27, 2014

if you can, look up the KAPLAN decision tree online. THEY helped me through figuring out med surg answers

Bedside_Life RN · Oct 1, 2014

Fundamental Success is decent, but you have to understand the basics. I cannot stress this enough. Yes you will have to memorize material but you have to, have to, have to, be able to apply it. This is the most frustrating part of nursing.

Saunder's is also a pretty good resource. At this point NCLEX review text may confuse you because they are based on the understanding that you are preparing for the NCLEX.

If you can find someone with a Hurst review workbook that was filled it out during the course; this may be of some benefit.

Also, ExamCram is a pretty good resource. Whatever it is that you choose to review (Even your textbook and case studies will help some) get together with a small group and have everyone write their answers down and then discuss why you think your answer is right. When there is a disagreement take the time to look it up in the book and read that section from the beginning so that you have a good understanding of why the right answer is the right answer.

Ask if there is a Senior student that is available to tutor. The instructors will pick someone who they know is doing well and "gets it" or as you will hear, so god awfully many times, "thinks like a nurse". Remember THIS IS YOUR GOAL! THINK LIKE A NURSE! HAVE A QUESTIONING ATTITUDE! And you have to choose the SAFE answer. This will follow you through licensure. Every test that you take is not only a Nursing test but it is a Safety test. That is what Nursing tests are and that is what the NCLEX is. One big giant Safety test.

For example, think about this ever so often used scenario......You are the nurse taking care of Mrs. Pat. Mrs. Pat has been admitted to your unit from step-down, and has a temporary tracheostomy. Mrs. Pat has been very congested and you decide to change her crusty saturated collar because at your hospital respiratory therapists do not always take care of this issue. So, like suuuppperrr Nuuurrrssssee you are going to rise to the call of duty and take some action! You are a Nurse now, remember?...... So you get all of your supplies ready, you have put her on the pulse oximetry monitor (because this has to do with Respiratory right, and you are going to do everything you can to shine like a star for Mrs. Pat). You have hyperoxygenated her and have wall suction ready (because you are thinking ahead of course). Now, you have removed and cleaned the trach, using aseptic technique of course, and you are about to attach the trach. strap, and wouldn't you know it, it is one those real fancy nice ones that has pads and velcro. At this point you are already thinking of ways to rub it into your friend's face about how you saved Mrs. Pat's life today. And about this time sweet Mrs. Pat decides to help you out by clearing her throat and you watch her cannula fly across the room like a bottle rocket and it lands right on the floor next to the trash can. I mean, you saw that line hanging from her trach. and you know it had to be used for something right?..... so you deflated the balloon at the beginning; that is what it is there for right? Obviously not considering the circumstances..... So now think about what do you do, super nurse....? The nurse who gave you report left out the size, details, and forgot to send the bedside replacement trach with the patient "because the family must have grabbed it". Now you have some very important decision making to act upon..... Do you call for help? go to parstock for another kit? put oxygen on Mrs. Pat and bag ventilate her? grab the cannula next to the trashcan, wipe it off, and pop it back in, or maybe just stand there, frozen, hoping someone will save you, in awe of how things went from top of the world to "OMG FML" with one cough?........ What would you do? Really think about it.

The correct answer is how a competent nurse should think.

Dohardthings · Oct 1, 2014

Saunder's NCLEX Review

Med-Surg Success