Questions on the NCLEX I took yesterday

suzanne4, RN · Jul 14, 2005

What you are speaking of is disaster triage, something completely different.

In a hospital facility, you treat the sickest first. But at the scene of a disaster, the triage person is responsible for trying to save as many peoplke as possble. So your goal is to go thru and ge the healhiest taken care of first, and out of harms way.

If you woulf like to pm me your e-mail address, I will be more than happy to send you an article that will explain the entire topic to you.

Unfortunately disaster planning and triage is only starting to be taught in the US this year in most programs. For those of you that are taking NCLEX-PN or even the NCLEX-RN, it hasn't been a topic that was covered, though on almost all exams over the past year.

anita2812 · Jul 15, 2005

What you are speaking of is disaster triage, something completely different.
In a hospital facility, you treat the sickest first. But at the scene of a disaster, the triage person is responsible for trying to save as many peoplke as possble. So your goal is to go thru and ge the healhiest taken care of first, and out of harms way.
ok,thanks for clearing that up for me.I was never in the LVN program at school just the RN,and once you get past 3rd semester-its an ADN program you can take the NCLEX-pn.I am taking med surg 2 my last semester this Fall.Maybe they will cover it then??

SueNYC · Jul 15, 2005

I too took my lpn after I became eligible during my RN program... I only learned about disaster and triage nursing through the review class I took right before I took the LPN exam. Though I did not have even one question on the test about it. And Suzanne is right, depending on the situation, whether triage or in a hospital setting it is completely different. In a hospital setting, you still follow your ABC's, maslows etc. In disaster situations there is a format of different levels, so you tend to those whom arent neceassirly the most critical but the one you have to tend to immediately but doesnt require the most medical intervention, if that makes any sense . Its kind of like common sense, if you were in a disaster, you are trying to treat the most number of patients in a short period of time. For instance a pt with burns covering most of their body would be treated last or someone whos death is inevitable.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 15, 2005

You can think of it in another way, at the scene of a disaster, you do not have equipment with you. No stethescope, no oxygen, etc. So look at it from that standpoint, who can you help with what you have? Your goal is to save the largest number of people.

blondeagent99 · Jul 17, 2005

well I am still waiting for my results.BUt I have a question for you guys.DUring the test there were a lot of priority questions.I went on another message board and was told that you help the least critical pt first.Well I still think in the hospi it would be the most critical.For ex:there were alot of questions where it was prioritizeed.I usually chose either the very young or very old-also based on their dx.
Oh my gosh, I am so nervous.I also kept on gettig a lot of those new format quetions-slect all that apply and a few fill in the blanks. Okay deep breath.....

I believe you are right with treating the most critical patient first - especially in a hospital setting - even in a nursing home (where you will make a bigger salary) you always treat the sickest one first - I don't know who told you the opposite but that is definitely a no-no - ever been to an ER??? Good luck to you in your career and don't let the other nurses get you down -

suzanne4, RN · Jul 17, 2005

What she is referring to is traige in a disaster setting, and the healthiest are seen to first to get them out of the way. Your goal is to save the most people. Remember that a disaster the person doing the triage usually doesn't have any equipment with them of any type, no oxygen, no IVs, etc. We are talking of being out in the field literally.

There are now questions about this on every NCLEX exam, at least almost everyone. I highly suggest that you review it. It is completely opposite eof everyhting that is done in a facility that has equipment. :)

cjandmama · Jul 17, 2005

could you send me the article you are referring to disaster vs hospital triage? i am taking the nclex-pn this wednesday. i don't recall this type of lecture in school so it would be greatly appreciated! wish me luck!!! :selfbonk:

mjbsn2006 · Jul 18, 2005

Do you think your RN program prepared you well enough to take the LPN boards or did the review class really help?? I plan to take it in Dec., and was just wondering if I would be ready. Is the RN more difficult??

THanks:)

I too took my lpn after I became eligible during my RN program... I only learned about disaster and triage nursing through the review class I took right before I took the LPN exam. Though I did not have even one question on the test about it. And Suzanne is right, depending on the situation, whether triage or in a hospital setting it is completely different. In a hospital setting, you still follow your ABC's, maslows etc. In disaster situations there is a format of different levels, so you tend to those whom arent neceassirly the most critical but the one you have to tend to immediately but doesnt require the most medical intervention, if that makes any sense . Its kind of like common sense, if you were in a disaster, you are trying to treat the most number of patients in a short period of time. For instance a pt with burns covering most of their body would be treated last or someone whos death is inevitable.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

could you send me the article you are referring to disaster vs hospital triage? i am taking the nclex-pn this wednesday. i don't recall this type of lecture in school so it would be greatly appreciated! wish me luck!!! :selfbonk:

you need to send me your e-mail address via pm. please do not post it here and i will be quite happy to send it to you.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

If you are going to take the exam in December, when do you graduate from your nursing program? You may wish to check out getting a nurse externship or nurse tech position first, as they may actually give you more opportunity to practice your skills that you will use as an RN.

The LPN exam, with licensure and exam fees will cost you about $400. Unless you are offered a considerable amount more of money for the LPN, I suggest going the other route. This would be the only time that it would be beneficial to you. Depending on the state, there are some areas that are no longer employing LPNs in specialty areas and if that is your goal, go with my suggestion.

You would also be further ahead in many places by being able to secure a sought-after RN job by having experience there as an extern.

angelluv · Jul 18, 2005

Hi Suzanne, I'm New In This Forum And I'm Not Replying On Anita's Question. I Have A Question Of My Own To Ask. I Will Be Moving In The States In Few Months But I'm An Reg.pract.nurse In Canada And I Would Like To Write The Lpn Exam. Can You Pls. Suggest A Good Book To Review For The Lpn Exams. Thank You In Advance. Elena