Need help with HESI

hikernurse · Feb 23, 2008

I got the book and the cd and I think it can be very helpful. I read through the book pretty quickly because we took the HESI in the middle of the semester and I couldn't spend a whole lot more time reading than I already was for class.

I think the cd was more useful though because the format was the same as the test.

Good luck. Did they give you a printout review sheet so you know what kinds of questions you're missing? That might be a good place to start, too.

Jules A, MSN · Feb 23, 2008

Definitely get the Hesi CD. I usually test pretty good but I thought the Hesi was difficult so being familiar with the way they word their questions and the rationales for their answers will be very valuable. Good luck.

twilight3 · Feb 24, 2008

I failed the hesi before and afterwards my instructor and I went through the test together. When we looked at what I got wrong, my instructor showed me how to use test taking strategies for the hesi.

1. If the stem of question asks what will you do FIRST, think of the nursing process. The first thing you do in the nursing process is assessment. Choose the answer that sounds like assessment.

2. Figure out what is the problem in the question. Look at what the patient came in for. For example, if it is a renal question then answer with a renal answer.

3. If it is a priority question, think safety first. What will kill the patient or endanger them. Choose the most emergent answer and remember airway, breathing, circulation.

4.When delegating to UAPs, make sure it is within their scope of practice. Never allow the UAP to assess, evaluate, teach or discharge.

5.Room assignment questions. Like diseases may room together. If the disesase or condition is contagious then they need to be in private rooms or semi private.

6. Fix the problem and do not delay care. What can you do as a nurse first before you call the doctor.

7. If a question wants you to deal with a problem on the floor. Choose the assertive answer and not the passive. For example, say "I need" not "Will you please".

8. With psyc questions think therapeutic communication. Don't say any thing that could start an argument.

9. For words you don't know, try to break the word down. Most likely you will guess the meaning once its broken down.

10.If you come to a question that asks for a statement choose the most global answer.

11. If you don't know how to answer the question, look at your answer choices. If they are all similar in some way, choose the odd answer.

12.Know your labs and what foods contains iron or potassium or sodium.

A psychologists came to talk to the people including me that failed hesi. She told us to choose a score that you want to make. Visualize that score until you want to stop. Do it everyday until the test. Supposedly this exercise helps with determination in passing the test.

I hope that I can help you, there is no guarantee this will help. But I did what is written above and I finally passed with a 958. I kept reading post after post about reading nclex books and hesi books/cd. Thats good and I suggest you do that as well, but to me you have to also understand how to answer hesi questions. Their questions are different from nclex questions. Do your nclex or hesi cd to build endurance and to acquire knowledge. If anyone has any questions you can PM anytime.

woody436 · Feb 24, 2008

Can't emphasize this enough...get/use the HESI CD...it's invaluable...

MB37 · Feb 24, 2008

If you're having trouble passing a test designed by HESI, of course you should be studying from their products. That just makes sense. Unfortunately, their products are expensive and don't have many questions. The book doesn't have any NCLEX questions, although it is really good for review of material. The CD only allows you to take each practice test 5 times, and the one for Fundamentals was only 35 questions long - even though the HESI was 75 (we take one for each subject). If you go to their website, they also have another product for sale that has about 600 questions - I can't think of the name, I haven't bought it yet. I think it's $69, and I believe it's an online access code that you use to access these questions. I didn't buy the online questions because I've done very well on our first two HESIs. If I was struggling, I would have charged it - passing is much more important than money to me. Can you also borrow more NCLEX books from friends who've already passed? If you're only using one or two, it might help to answer questions from a different author/company. Also, practice your questions on the computer and not from the book - it helps to simulate the HESI/NCLEX taking experience.

sandycassidy · Sep 26, 2008

There is a HESI PRACT TEST, which is actually a web access you buy with 1200 questions divided into subjects, like Management, Fundamentals, Med-Surge, Peds, OB-GYN, Pharm, Psych... it is really helpful. You can get it at www.bn.com (barnes & noble) I think it cost like US$100 (with the HESI REVIEW BOOK) alltogether. It will help a lot. I will look at the ISBN number and write you back.!