What is happening?

[Mrs.Priss]

OKAY....I just got my grade back from my second fundamentals exam and I got a 78!!! I made a 70 on my first exam!!! 75 is passing, have literally studied every free minute! The questions are SO random! It's like I have to know every single detail in every single chapter in order to answer these questions... I use my text, PP's, NCLEX review books, test success, fundamentals success, fundamentals made incredibly easy, quizlet, and ATI. So I guess I'm really just searching for advice, tips, other resource suggestions.

[Mrs.Priss]

Also brillohead, I have that book it was required course material but thank you for suggesting it :)

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

I think learning the Kaplan decision tree would do you wonders at this stage in the game. I can't remember exactly but basically you first figure out if you can determine what the question is asking. Then you see If all of the answers are interventions or assessments. In the case of that COPD question,there were both assessment and interventions.Then looking at your data, of only having the O2 sat, you could determine that you probably need more assessment. Then you ask are the assessments appropriate? If you were to call the doctor you would need more info like the patients baseline. Also Kaplan teaches that Calling the doc is a "pass the buck" answer and rarely right. You can pick up the Kaplan course books on amazon, and they are an excellent study tool. In the beginning of the book if explains the decision tree. Good luck! You will eventually find your groove :)

[Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN]

You need to make an appointment with your advisor. This is what they are for! They know the test plan and can help you with your way of thinking. Does the school offer nursing tutors? use them!

[Mrs.Priss]

Staragate, I have met with both professors twice. It is mandatory to set up a private meeting with them if you score below an 80 in the exam. They have pretty much said try studying different ways to retain the material... And I did try that last tine

[kparker4]

Exactly what my instructors told me! and I'm in the same situation as well

[shay&lynn, ASN, RN]

priss-

how did you do on this last exam?

[loriangel14, RN]

You need to learn to do more than just memorize stuff. You nheed to learn to apply what you know to figure out the naswer. Lots of times the answer cannot be found anywhere in black and white, you need to use reasoning and critical thinking as well.

Good luck.