List of tips compiled during Kaplan classroom course

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 17, 2013

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nclex tips from kaplan class.pdf

nclex tips from kaplan class.doc

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 17, 2013

No “do nothing” answers

If NCLEX gives you an age, especially with children or older adults, you are looking at growth and development

Pain is psychosocial unless use description of severe or life threatening pain = priority

Output: 30ml/hr – kidney function, 1500 ml in and 1500ml out – hydration status

If two answers are similar, you can possibly throw them out.

4 Gs - Garlic, ginseng, ginger, ginkgo = if taken with another anti-platelet and anticoagulant can be increased risk of bleeding.

NCLEX does not take phrases lightly. Pay attention to descriptors.

Lots of words for assessment: evaluate understanding, determine

Do not choose answers that can potentially cause harm

Therapeutic communication: validation of feelings, reality orientation, and open ended statement/questions

No “why” questions – confrontational

Cannot tell people what you should and should not do. (Starts with “you should”)

Warm fuzzy answers may be wrong

Don’t assume

Pay attention to time frame.

Priority questions most of the time will be using ABCs. 1) Airway and breathing goes together and then circulation. 2) For actual vs. potential problems or risk. 3) And acute vs. chronic

NCLEX is big on promoting independence. Before you know what you need to perform will need to know what patient can do.

If NCLEX tells you where you are, can use it to answer questions.

Many times with opposites, one of opposites is correct answers.

Cane: never want person leaning toward weak side. Good leg up, bad leg down.

Select all that apply: always more than one, never all of them

Comma, comma, comma rule: if any part of answer is wrong, entire answer is wrong.

When see contact healthcare provider, or go to hospital, or come to clinic – way to get person assessed

If any issues with neck up, treat as airway and breathing.

The order always there, but cannot change the order.

Pain is psychosocial, but severe pain is not psychosocial.

Don’t give anything PO if patient vomiting.

Older adult with change in level of consciousness: look at medications or infection.

RNs must do first time assessments, including vitals signs. Patient is admitted….

RN must do all education. Pt. discharge ….

RN cannot delegate delegation.

LPN can take care of basic stable patients with predictable outcomes.

If RN is pulled to a different unit, RN gets LPN assignment.

CNAs can do repetitive tasks.

If RN is delegating task, it’s assumed that person task is delegated to, knows how to do task (Unless new hire).

No passing the buck. Even when asking someone else what to do.

NCLEX world is an ivory tower.

Scope of practice has more clout than years of experience.

For any legal issues on NCLEX, follow chain of command (your supervisor/manager).

NCLEX wants you to avoid confrontation

If patient has a problem and it’s being treated, will not be priority.

NCLEX loves interactive answers.

NCLEX wants to know what you will do, not what you will have to ask other people.

Patient first – before paperwork, equipment, and visitors

NCLEX wants specifics when it comes to vitals signs.

Never document that incident report completed.

Don’t ever leave someone alone, unless in psych situation where someone is verbally (quiet room) or physically escalating (seclusion).

NCLEX will give you what you do but in wrong order.

Legal issue: chain of command (staff nurse à nurse manager)

Demonstration is best way of teaching.

Use of side rails is a restraint - unless question/answers specifies just 1 or 2.

Surgical incisions will be sterile and germ free. Tear is more at risk for infection than surgical incision.

East of Mississippi – Lyme disease, west of Mississippi – Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Assessment before implementation!

Never give infants water.

If documenting, means that everything in question is within normal limits. Ask self if everything is within normal limits, before choose documentation.

Infants start going through (crack) withdrawal 12-24 hours after birth

Cigarette smoking affects every system of the body.

For toddlers: 24 oz milk in 24 hours, not more….

Weight gain of 3 lbs or more in 24 hours is a problem.

If given option of sitting with a patient, hold it because it may be the right answer.

Substance abuse rehab: look for manipulative behavior.

Go with interactive answer.

Metabolic acidosis – pH down, diarrhea down

Metabolic alkalosis – pH up, vomit goes up

Respiratory acidosis – pH down, depth and rate of respirations decreased

Respiratory alkalosis – pH up, depth and rate of respirations increased – hyperventilating

If fat, sugar, and/or sodium is removed from a food, it will be high in something else unhealthy to make it palatable.

Count risk factors for each option to determine who is most at risk.

Actual problems have priority over risk for problems.

NCLEX wants task or treatment completed.

“Vital signs stable” is not enough for NCLEX. Must have specific vital signs.

Victim of rape – priority is checking for injuries

4-5 year old child – teach using dolls

BUN, creatinine = kidneys/renal function; AST, ALT = liver function

Texasdude · Jun 3, 2016

Awesome tips! I know this post is older but I just found it. What were your Kaplan scores like when you took NXLEX and is there a fair comparison in your opinion? I am about to test in a few days.