Level 1 Test Questions

I dont have any experience with clinical tests, as we dont have them in our clinical group. However, if the questions are truly NCLEX style that you have I can offer a few pointers. This style of questions are very different and difficult to get. The first thing I suggest is go to every source you possibly can, such as your text book disks, practice tests online and do every one you can. Practice really helps. In the meantime, one of the things to keep in mind with NCLEX style questions is: Do not read into it. It is what it is. You are in the NCLEX HOSPITAL and have everything you could possible need and want. So pretend you are in the perfect world but don't read into the question and go too deep. Secondly, as you are reading the question the first time, underline key words such as "priority" or "first" or "except". The latter is a big one. NCLEX loves the word "except". So be careful as you read for those key words. Thirdly, go back and read the question a second time with those words underlined. Imagine in your head the scenario (question) as it would play out in a hospital setting, like a mini movie in your head. Then read your answers....do any match your mini movie?

Hope this helps...if I think of anything else I'll repost. Good luck

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. Our clinical instructors pull these questions from a "bank." I have been underlining key words, but I guess I am reading too much into it or over thinking it. I am a logical thinker as opposed to a critcal thinker. We always have 4 multiple choice answers or select all that apply. It's making me crazy because I know the information and the people in my study group are getting "A"s and "B"s and I'm failing. Anyway, thanks for the input!

I think everyone feels this way when they first encounter N-CLEX questions. Unfortunately they are here to stay. There are a few things that have helped me.

Choose the ABC's above anything else (airway, breathing, circulation). Things that keep the patient alive are always more important. If you have a patient on the floor you don't know a thing about them you would want to establish patent airway #1. Skin integrity is also a biggie.

If one of the answers is something you have never heard of before, some huge medical term then thats not the right answer (assuming you have studied and or listened in class). Those answers are just there to distract you.

Like someone else said don't read into the question. Some parts of the question are just there to add unnecessary info you don't even need and isn't relevant. Example:

You walk into the room and find your patient lying on the floor. She is a 80 yr old diabetic with history of a left femure fx. What is your priority nursing action?

I would read that as oh they are saying she is diabetic so that must mean she is going into diabetic coma so that means I need to get her sugar. That's wrong though, There could be any number of reasons she is on the floor and the priority is seeing she is breathing, not bleeding etc. Of course thats a simplified question but you get the point.

Another thing that has helped me is getting those N-CLEX practice books from the library and just practicing with the example questions then reading what the right answer was and why it is the right answer. It might be to early in nursing school for you to know the answers if so try the basic hygiene ones on the PN level.

Also if you have the time bone up on your medical terminology if you don't have a class on that in your program (we don't!). I found I kept missing questions just because I didn't know what a CXR was or some condition I had never heard of. Teachers sometimes forget that not everyone has had a medical background and we don't know what that means. Maybe that is just my school though.

sorry for the lengthy answer and don't worry you will get the hang of them!

Don't read anything into the question. Just base your answer solely on the information given. Keep it simple. Follow the ABCs then Maslows. Consider the least invasive intervention first, but if it doesn't apply, move from there.

There are no "trick" questions or answers, it is interpreting the question. Some questions do have multiple correct answers, but only ONE of them is the BEST answer. Eliminate the distractors first; usually you can easily narrow it down to 2 answers.