TIPS/Info for passing NCLEX

[paula77720]

Hi,

To everyone who passed recent nclex-rn, can you please share what helped you best (cd's, printed materials, etc..) ? Where to focus? and how did you study/prepare?

thanks... this will help a lot of us who are scheduled to take the exams soon

[Diahni]

i'm into taking practice tests everyday... reviewing both correct and incorrect answers with rationale... practice makes me a better test taker... :)

*hope i'll make it next week!!! :)

i found looking at the ncbsn description called "detailed test plan" to actually itemize some things - for lab values, under pharmacological therapies, it tells you the ones to know. now, if only there were a list of meds! anybody have a clue about this?

[je_da]

i found looking at the ncbsn description called "detailed test plan" to actually itemize some things - for lab values, under pharmacological therapies, it tells you the ones to know. now, if only there were a list of meds! anybody have a clue about this?

i found this site for monitored drugs: http://learn.sdstate.edu/nursing/medication.html

therapeutic classification of drugs: http://www.pakmedinet.com/pharma.php?cat=1

classified alcohol and drugs (w/ descriptions): http://www.bankhead.net/boozeanddrugs/classification.html

hope it can help... good luck!!! :)

[pulipam]

Hello, everyone! I am new here and I was wondering what is Suzanne's review plan?Can somebody explain to me?Thanks!

[Diahni]

Thanks, je_da! I was reading a past post that said she had one drug question - narcan. How annoying! The rule is: What ever topic you slave over is sure to have one or two questions. How about the NCLEX rule of numbers: the hours you spend on a topic is inverse to the numbers of questions about it? I would think there would be lots of cardiac meds, but who can tell?

I hear so many different things, and since everybody gets a different test, it's hard to know. I'm trying to focus on obvious things, but I didn't write the test! I suspect common sense helps a lot.

Diahni

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Hello, everyone! I am new here and I was wondering what is Suzanne's review plan?Can somebody explain to me?Thanks!

if you have a read through some of the threads or do a search on Suzanne's plan you will find plenty of information, other option is read the sticky called New revised first tip for Suzanne's plan.

[fashionguru]

Hi Everyone,

i was studying with the Saunder's book and came across this really simple way of determining Respiratory/Metabolic Acidosis/Alkalosis. i really struggled with my Acid Base through nursing school and even now, so this really worked for me. And i've been getting all the acid/ base questions right now! i've added some strategies i've used to remember the values, as well. here it is, hope it helps someone else out there too!

ØQuick way to determine Respiratory é Metabolic Acidosis é Alkalosis

oMemorize PH of blood (7.35 - 7.45)

oNow remember the numbers 35 and 45 from the PH, this is the range for PCO2

oIf you can`t remember the HCO3 range (22 - 27), just remember it`s in the 20`s and that will eventually help you remember the actual values

oPO2, 80 - 100, associate it with O2 levels. Remember, O2 readings should be at the higher end, and we don't generally start to panic unless O2 readings are below 80.

oThe acidosis and alkalosis part is determined by the blood PH (high PH = alkalosis, and low PH = acidosis)

oIf the condition is RESPIRATORY, the PH and PCO2 moves in opposite directions

Ex: PH 7.30, PCO2 48 = respiratory acidosis

PH 7.51, PCO2 30 = resp. alkalosis

oIf condition is METABOLIC, the PH and HCO3, move in the same direction

Ex: PH 7.30, HCO3 20 = metabolic acidosis

PH 7.51, HCO3 29 = metabolic alkalosis

[je_da]

thanks, je_da! i was reading a past post that said she had one drug question - narcan. how annoying! the rule is: what ever topic you slave over is sure to have one or two questions. how about the nclex rule of numbers: the hours you spend on a topic is inverse to the numbers of questions about it? i would think there would be lots of cardiac meds, but who can tell?

i hear so many different things, and since everybody gets a different test, it's hard to know. i'm trying to focus on obvious things, but i didn't write the test! i suspect common sense helps a lot.

diahni

you're right diahni! who can tell! whew... i guess, we just have to do our very best on each question and then continue till it's over... one question->critical thinking->correct answer!

when are you testing again? i'm into pharma qs for the next 2 days and that's it - testing on tuesday!!!

*herbal meds and psych items will surely pop up!!! review them! :)

[Diahni]

Thanks, fashionguru.

I was clueless about acidosis and alkalosis stuff in anatomy. It took learning about how disease states will create an acid or alkaline condition that made me put it together. Then it was easy! Meanwhile, I'd like to know if anyone can direct me to a meds list. When I see a list in some guide, I wonder. Also, does anyone have an opinion about which practice tests are best? Some seem easier than others.

With the med reviews, I saw a list of the "top fifty," yet it didn't include Narcan. Meanwhile, somebody on this list said Narcan was her only med question! I was thinking the most important ones are the ones that require monitoring the BP, check for kidney or liver labs, or whatever. Add to this the antidote drugs, which would definitely include Narcan. Plus addiction is a "hot topic," along with culture, and the ever important priority and delagation questions.

To be sure, the cardiac meds, insulin and antibiotics are important, but there are so many of them in each category. Maybe learning a handful in each group (which would probably end up resulting in hundreds, I'm sure.)

I mentioned before that I'm enjoying the Kaplan lectures on Mp3. Somebody downloaded it from bittorrent, but I wouldn't suggest being a net pirate to anyone! But there is so much stuff out it, it gets confusing unless you zero in.

Diahni

[fashionguru]

ØHi Diahni and Je_da,

at my previous attempts at the NCLEX i studied by trying to memorize every possible thing i could think of. this time around i am trying to group things together, instead of memorizing, just trying to apply general knowledge. see if the below work for you. its actually been working quite well for me. for example, if teh question asks for a side effect, and i dont know it, i try to look for the least serious and easily rectifiable symptom. if the question asks for a toxic effect, i choose the symptom that implies ototoxic or neuro symptoms. 3/4 of teh meds listed below came up on previous exams for me and this is a easy way to memorize the therapeutic level for at least 4 of the meds, if not all! hope this helps. good luck!

Therapeutic Ranges

oTylenol

oChloromycetin

oDilantin

oTheophylline

All are 10 - 20mcg/ml

ØDrug Actions

oDesired action

oSide effects - generally, minor, easily rectified with other drugs. ex: nausea, headache, diarrhea

oAdverse effects- more serious, not easily fixed, lean towrds life threatening

oToxic effects (when adverse becomes severe)- usually ototoxic or neurotoxic effects

oAllergic reaction

by studying this way, i am actually remembering things a lot better and am doing much better on the practice exams. feel free to share tips that have worked for u!

[je_da]

hi! been reading about drug abuse and guess what i found... :)

this helpful info about narcan and opioid toxicity...

http://www.maine.gov/dps/ems/docs/narcan%20module.pdf

good luck... :)

[world]

Hi. Is any body preparing for CGFNS? Can somebody give me tips for books and where is test centre in UK? Some sort of strange reason, i am not able to locate test centre?

[Nurse2919]

Hi I am LVN graduate and waiting for Nclex I was wondering if you all would happpen to know about any good review course for Nclex PN i am looking at one that is provided by Hprovider....at Hprovider.com

PLZZ HELPPP...................