Trying to pass my NCLEX the second time :(

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I took the NCLEX my first time June 21st and it was the most stressful thing I have ever done. I didn't not feel comfortable at all taking it. I took the kaplan course but it didn't seem that the strategies they recommended were enough for me. I have trouble picking the right answer after narrowing it down to two. I think my problem areas are Endocrine, Renal, Chest tubes. I get alot of things mixed up with Hypo and Hyperthyroidism, Hypo and Hyperglycemia, and Cushings and Addisons. I have a weakness in priority questions when they are between pain and infection and the ABCs do not apply. I am a very visual learner. Anyone have any pictures of the things I have mentioned that may help me or very simple explanations of them. I'm just not getting it. I take it again in August. thanks in advance :)

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Specializes in Adult ICU (All over), NICU, Education.

Try the Memory Notebook of Nursing, there are 3 different volumes. They can be helpful for the visual learners. They are a bit pricey, but you can find them at BArnes and Noble and look them over see if they will help you!

Memory Notebook of Nursing, Vol. 2 by Joann Graham Zerwekh, Jo Carol Claborn, and C. J. Miller

Good Luck

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HI

First, if you need any books for review--check Ebay and craigslist for lower prices for used ones.

Get flash cards--better yet--write your own. I spent years as a teacher. Seeing it, Writing it and reading it will give you the ability to 'remember' it much better. Another thing to remember is to not read anything into the questions. Many people do poorly on tests due to reading things into the question.

To remember Hypo verses Hyper in almost any condition--remember hypo is low. The rhyme might help you. When you think of signs and symptoms for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), for instance, think of an onion being peeled. The brain is the onion--as suger lowers, so does mental ability (ie: Mood changes abruptly) pts are very often confused and/or combative. If not treated, they will have seizures and go into respiratory failure.

HYPERglycemia(high blood sugar level)--these patients will urinate more, may loose weight rapidly--and ultimately go into ketoacidosis and a coma.

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Thanks for the onion analogy shadowrose45. I will remember that one for sure. yes I agree, writing and teaching others is an excellent way to learn. I find when i discuss topics, even those I am unsure of but can read and interpret out of a book, they stick alot better in my mind. I also benefit from drawing pictures of what the patient would look like if they had hypoglycemia and memorizing the cartoon i drew.

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Thanks for the onion analogy shadowrose45. I will remember that one for sure. yes I agree, writing and teaching others is an excellent way to learn. I find when i discuss topics, even those I am unsure of but can read and interpret out of a book, they stick alot better in my mind. I also benefit from drawing pictures of what the patient would look like if they had hypoglycemia and memorizing the cartoon i drew.

how were you scoring on your kaplan qbank and q trainer questions?

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55-75 all over depending on the content

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Renal and endocrine were my weak areas as well. It was hard to keep the different s/s straight, but what helped me the most was understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. For example, Addison's is hyposecretion of glucocorticoids (cortisol) and mineralcorticoids (aldosterone) and by understanding what their roles are, the signs and symptoms are so much easier to recall because it makes sense and is not just memorization. The anatomy and physiology intro to each chapter of the Saunder's 4th edition book really helped me to understand the disease processes. Best of luck to you.

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55-75 all over depending on the content

thats about the range that i am scoring on kaplan.. and i too failed my firs time with only 76 questions... but my first time i did not use a review course.. this time im doing kaplan... u will pass .. and so will I.. we both just need to review content and study test taking strategies.. and we will be fine..

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thanks pogi

:)

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Yeah i had 78 questions...I hope your right good luck, love the postive attitude ;)

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thats about the range that i am scoring on kaplan.. and i too failed my firs time with only 76 questions... but my first time i did not use a review course.. this time im doing kaplan... u will pass .. and so will I.. we both just need to review content and study test taking strategies.. and we will be fine..

Yeah i had 78 questions...I hope your right good luck, love the postive attitude ;)

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thanks.. it took a while to get the positive attitude.. i initially tested on june 22nd, a day after ur test... and ive already been through my stages of grieving.. my first time taking the test i think i really screwed it up.. because whenever i got questions like "whats the most important thing to do" i would pick answers like "remain with the patient" or calm the patient down... or decrease stimuli.. when actually those are physchosocial.. and physiological responses come first.. ( i know that as a nurse.. but i just thought first thing to do would be to get the patient to calm down.. but im learning otherwise from kaplan)... and i didnt round properly when i did my exam.. i know i didnt.. i hurried with my tutorial.. and later i found out that the tutoial teaches you how to round.. its not that i dont know how to round.. but i didnt round how many places i was asked to round on.. therefore; this time.. im not going to make those mistakes.. when r u re testing?

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