WRONG....try again!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 4, 2008

It seems to me that you are "personalizing" the situation too much. You seem to be thinking in terms of what your instructor as an individual thinks rather than the general principles that she is trying to test.

You say you have a good understanding of the textbook and lecture content. That's a great place to start. The next step is to APPLY that content. Before each test, be sure you have identified the major points that you are supposed to be learning -- the key principles the instructor is trying to teach, etc.

Then, for each possible answer, identify the relevant principles/ideas that come into play. Eliminate the obviously wrong answers, but only after looking at them seriously first. For each possibility, ask yourself whether or not one of the principles from class relates to that answer. Ask yourself whether or not that answer would be an appropriate response. Ask yourself what the possible consequences of that choice would be. "Play out" that possibility in your mind.

In the above example:

If you think the answer is "A" ... is the hallway the appropriate time and place to have a serious conversation about a patient's condition? How might a depressed patient respond to that approproach? Would that approach (carried out in the hallway) probably yield a productive result? Was there anything in your book or in class that would help you evaluate this possible answer?

What about answer "B"? Would that be a productive approach? Are there any principles that you read about or discussed in class that would relate to such an approach? Would it accomplish anything? Would it be appropriate? etc.

"C" can probably be eliminated. I think it's safe to assume you are being asked to interact with this patient in a productive way and not run away and hide.

So, what about "D"? How does that response fit with the material you read and discussed in class? Is it consistent with some of the principles that are being taught? Does it violate any principles of good practice? How would the patient probably respond? Would it cause any harm? Might it be helpful? etc.

Evaluate each possible answer by asking these types of questions. Look for consistiencies with the principles taught in class to help you find answers that might be correct. Look for possible inconsistencies or violations of good practice to help you identify probable wrong answers. As you do that, you should be narrowing it down to the best answer.

Don't get into a game of trying to read your instructor's mind. Focus on the principles of good and bad care.

medsurgrnco, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2008

You are on the unit and notice Johnny a patient with major depression standing in the hall, how would you greet Johnny?

a) ask him how he is doing

b) smile and say nothing

c) run the other way

d) make small talk

Identify key information in the question instead of being hung up on the diagnosis. Now can you eliminate some choices?

Which answers do you think could be correct of the 4 above?