I need Fundamentals of Nursing HELP

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Im in first semester, I did horrible on my test yesterday. I need HIGH grades for my next test in order to move on. Can anyone suggest and books or testing techniques ? I really need some help guides, notes so I can make it on to the nest semester. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong

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What I had to realize about nursing school when I started was that its not about memorization it's about actually applying and understanding the information. And learning what takes priority. Abc. Airway breathing circulation. Which patients do u see first? Airway pt! If its a psych question think safety. Write all over your test... And take every question on the test one at time.

As far as studying goes, each disease has a definition, cause, med treatment, surgical treatment, nursing treatment and lab values and clinical manifestations associated with it. Know these! And if u don't understand it, look it up not only in your book but online. I used to go on YouTube and look up certain procedures or diseases until I could confidently explain to someone what happens.

Dedicate a certain amount of hours per week to study. Mine was about 20-25 hours per week. That's roughly 3-4 hours a day. But write out a weekly plan of what day u are studying and what times and commit to it.

Ask faculty many questions.... That's why thy are there ... Join study groups... Get a fail proof plan and run with it . :) hard work pays off and that's one realization I had to have to get where I am today .

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I've bought like 8 NCLEX study guides. I got most Of them at goodwill. I go thru and study the questions over the content we are on. Really helps to learn how to prioritize and critically think. Also, practice practice practice. The more nclex style questions I answer, the more my critical thinking skills mature. Good luck!!

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Maybe I'll check out the you tube, I am a hands on person. I just need a better test taking technique, i seem to always narrow down to the last two but then get stuck and choose the wrong answer. And select All That Apply I just don't get along with. But thanks, I have an appointment with my professor next class

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I'll have to get me some NCLEX books, I got one from the library its an edition from 2000 I'm scared to read in it but I may could still do the questions I don't want to get confused since things change so much. I hear Kaplan & Saunders is pretty good?

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My foundations teacher just told us today that the key to her tests (and the NCLEX) is find the wrong first, narrow it down to those 2 right answers, and then pick the answer that is putting the care provider or patient safety a priority. So pick the saftey answer! I hope this helps :)

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First off, don't get discourged and beat yourself up. Brush it off and start fresh.

When you read your book, break it down by each page ( or topic) etc. Once you have read it, teach it to someone. The person doesn't even have to know what you are talking about. If you start to stammer or "umm ugh umm." You do not know the material...read it again. Do this everyday and then teach the chapter (the important parts). Also think about what you are reading....think to yourself why is this important? What can happen if I don't do this?

When you are taking the test read the question slowly..and ask yourself "what is this question asking." Then look at the answers and decide which ones are wrong (usually one is easy to pick out). Then look at the other answers-usually one will be more correct (also think about what has patient safety a priority). I think most people rush on the questions and see the first answer, pick it without looking at all the answers and move on. Usually there was another answer that was more correct.

I'm sure when your teacher lectures he/she will spend time on certain parts of the chapter a little longer then others correct? This topic will be on the test..plus all tables in your fundamentals book-read them and know them (for example: our activity chapter there was a table on different positions and also a table on different stages of child development). You better believe there was at least 6 questions on our test-

I don't do group study...this is because no one really gets along in our nursing class. Plus I want to study and do something else...I don't want to waste time.

BTW I received an 83% on the first test and an 87% on the second test.

I hope this helps...

PS I study for an hour to an hour a half a day for Fundementals. Then a week before the test I do about 2-21/2 hours a day. You cannot cram.

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Quiz question!

You just arrived to work for the 7p-7a shift on your medsurg unit.

You have a 17 yr old patient who was in a MVA 2 hours ago, he has been on your unit since. He is upset about missing his prom tonite (and is wearing his tuxedo), using maslows hierarchy of needs, which action is priority for this patient?

1) allow patient to express his feelings about missing prom

2) assess patient's Level of consiousness

3) assess patient's vital signs

4) tell the patient that he will have prom next year

questions like this one test you on multiple levels, it tests your ability to recall maslow, it tests your ability to be aware of the nurse as an emotional supporter, but most importantly it tests your ability to prioritize.

The correct answer is 3. While 1 and 2 are important, they are not priority according to maslow. If my patient dies before the night is over, then his emotional wellbeing won't matter.

This is how nursing differentiates from anatomy. Anatomy exams are direct / straight forward, while nursing questions require you to think about the situation, and make assumptions based on your knowledge base.

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Specializes in hopeful ER/Surg.
Quiz question!

You just arrived to work for the 7p-7a shift on your medsurg unit.

You have a 17 yr old patient who was in a MVA 2 hours ago, he has been on your unit since. He is upset about missing his prom tonite (and is wearing his tuxedo), using maslows hierarchy of needs, which action is priority for this patient?

1) allow patient to express his feelings about missing prom

2) assess patient's Level of consiousness

3) assess patient's vital signs

4) tell the patient that he will have prom next year

It is never that easy :)

Get NCLEX books, for sure. Saunders is great. I also recommend "Med Surg Success".

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There is also a book called fundamentals success! It goes with our chapters and is great. I've even found one or two the questions on tests are pulled from this book and some are reworded. Work the rationales and study from those. Good luck.

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I used Fundamentals Success last semester and it helped. I also used an app for iPhone by Lippincott, called Taylor's Fundamentals.

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Specializes in Hospice.
My foundations teacher just told us today that the key to her tests (and the NCLEX) is find the wrong first, narrow it down to those 2 right answers, and then pick the answer that is putting the care provider or patient safety a priority. So pick the saftey answer! I hope this helps :)

Golden advice. :up:

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