Tell me how to critically think!!

Nashima · Mar 4, 2006

I'm in nursing school as well. For me, it's not memorization, but learning how to apply what I've learned.

By your post, it seems that you know definitions/terms pretty well. Now you just have to expand on that knowledge and apply it to simulated nursing situations.

On critical thinking questions, you will see that there are usually 2 answers that are/may be correct. Based on what you have learned (terms, techniques, procedures)... which is the correct response? What would you do based on that situation?

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Mar 4, 2006

Have you thought of taking a Critical Thinking course? I know at most schools they are required to get your degree. Why not take it now while you are needing to use those critical thinking skills?

Kelly_the_Great · Mar 4, 2006

Hello there! I am a first semester, first year nursing student. Like MANY other students, I am just FRUSTRATED with my test scores. I study and study and study...ask me the info and I will tell it to you! but for some reason I am missing the boat on this "critical thinking" questions. I understand that I cannot memorize the material- I have to LEARN it. Ok, thats what I am doing but something is going wrong on my tests. Any advice??

Hey TiredStudentNurse07,

First, do not beat yourself up! These tests are difficult in that they are application/situational versus definitional. And for all of your testing life you've probably been tested on definitions rather than application, right? Also, you were given only 1 right answer, now you may have 3 or maybe even 4 but you have to pick the "best" one. So, believe me, it's hard for everyone. Don't fear though, with time it'll b/c 2nd nature...

One thing you might try doing is purchasing testing material (book or CD) that gives you practice questions w/ rationales - this will help you see, # 1 the reason behind the right answer, # 2 they usually address why the other choices are wrong as well and # 3 to help you recognize your test-taking patterns.

Hope this helps and good luck!

BoonersmomRN · Mar 4, 2006

Hi,

I'm a first year student too and I have just a little advice - not sure if it will help.

For every question think " what is this question asking me"- before you even look at the answers... it could be a prioritization question, or a what not do question. Find the key words like " first, priority, etc"

Remember Maslow and your ABC's. When you have 2 patients on Maslow physiologic rung- go to your ABC's.

What does the nurse always do first? ASSESS - look for assessment type answers on the questions asking " first".

Get your hands on testing books with NCLEX type questions. I have 4- Test Taking Success, Fundamentals Success, Nursing Fundamentals Reviews+ Rationals, + the Saunders NCLEX prep book. Do as many questions as you can...and even if you get them wrong- READ the rationals to see where they are coming from.

Relax during the test as much as you can. If you aren't sure on a question skip it and come back later- then ask yourself again " What IS THIS QUESTION ASKING ME". Cross off the ones that are distractors ( obviously wrong) and then apply Maslow, ABC's, and your recall of memorized material.

Don't read into the question more than is already there. Don't start saying " but what if......"- take the question at face value and don't look deeper.

If you are stuck between 2 answers go with the one your gut pulls you to more.

I hope this helps a lot! I have been doing really well on my lecture tests and the above advice - I read the majority of it here over time...and it WORKS!

MIA-RN1, RN · Mar 4, 2006

I have started trying to answer the question before looking at the answers, and then choosing the answer based on what I think is right. That way I apply the knowledge and book learning as well as nursing process/critical thinking before starting to freak out over what seems to be four correct answers.

It gets easier with practice so definitely use the CD's that come with your textbooks or buy an NCLEX review book.

Ayvah, RN · Mar 4, 2006

Yup, the advice listed here is good. Keep looking for that "most correct" answer and good luck!

Race Mom, ASN, RN · Mar 4, 2006

We had to do a computer program at our school called "Med software Test-Taking". It was a great tutorial for learning how to answer NCLEX questions. It really helped! One thing that I do see over and over on questions is that three of the answers are almost the same, while one is different. The different one is almost always the answer. One that I remember, although not exactly the same wording is about administering meds. Which would you do first?

Wash hands

Ask pt. to state name

Check med against MAR

Check route

Wash hands was the correct answer. The other 3 all tie into 5 rights.

This is just one way to try to weed out answers when you are stuck.

TiredStudentNurse07 · Mar 5, 2006

Thank you guys so much for your help! I work on the weekends and we have been kind of slow and my mom just came and brought me 2 NCLEX books and the questions are JUST LIKE my tests (ahh!!) hopefully I will do better. thank you!

rochelleus · Oct 26, 2006

Good going! My favoire clinical instructor told me the only way to get good at answering nursing questions is to answer nursing questions. I have about 4 nclex books and I work on the questions a little everyday and before the test. Also for me it helped to go from general to specific. For example now I pay special attention to the clinical manifestations and interventions of every disese process and then work backward from there. My instructors love intervention/evaluation/prioritizing questions so it was easier for me to understand the presenting symptoms and what to do with those THEN move on to the patho etc. Sometimes you get the PATH in the presenting symptoms as part of rationale. It helped me go from C to B and hopefully A soon! Good luck.

LadyStar42, LPN · Oct 27, 2006

This is all great advice, I would emphasize Assess, Assess, Assess!! And always ABCpain. Good luck!

Skrawberri · Oct 27, 2006

At my school (Auburn University) we use Medspub (medspub.com) for our classes (esp. our Fundamentals class) and it helps ALOT with critical thinking and application problems. I think you do medspub even if your school doesnt... Im not sure though. Great NCLEX prep, though.