NCLEX Strategies

Knowledge is Power The first step in preventing panic is to learn everything you can about the exam

Test questions are chosen according to the accuracy of your responses You can answer a minimum of 75 to maximum of 265 Qns Don’t lose concentration.

NCLEX is not divided up into separate content area. It tests integrated nursing content A woman with type 1 DM is returned to the recovery room one hour after an uneventful delivery of a 9 lb,8oz baby boy. The nurse would expect the woman’s blood sugar to:

Contents of NCLEX  Leadership  Safety and infection control  Health promotion  Therapeutic communication  Abuse and domestic violence Hazards of immobility and positioning techniques Medications Procedures Emergency management

Don’t underestimate yourself

What you mean by critical thinking??? Observe Decide what is important Look for patterns and relationships Identify the problem Transfer knowledge from one situation to another Apply knowledge Evaluate according to criteria established

Levels of cognitive thinking Recall/Recognition Understanding Application Analysis

Question types in NCLEX Alternate Item –Select all that apply –Hot spots-select the correct area and click mouse –Fill in the blanks –Drag and drop/Ordered Multiple choice –Format: Question stem +3 wrong answers + 1 right answer

Strategies Part 1 Follow a regular pattern: –Read the question –Reword the question –Go through the options –Eliminate the options –Choose the correct answer

Step 1:Read each question carefully. Do not skim over the words read them to quickly Step 2:Look for hints in the wording of the question stem: –Most, –first, –best, –Initial –Further teaching is necessary –Client understands the correct information

Step 3: Reword the question in your own words with WHAT,WHEN or WHY

Exercise 1

Elimination Step 1:Cover all answer choices except First Step 2: “Does this answer the REWORDED QUESTION??” apply for all the options. Step 3:Note which answer choices remain. Reread the question and make sure the answer selected is the correct answer

Remember Do not answer questions based on feelings or hunches Stay focused on the reworded question Eliminate only what you know is wrong. Do not focus on unnecessary information Do not predict answers Practice answering test questions

Strategies Part 2 Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs ABC’s Nursing process

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

ABC Airway Breathing Circulation

Nursing process Assessment Nursing diagnosis Goal/Objective Planning Intervention Evaluation

Remember Physiological needs are more important than psychosocial needs Always assess before you implement Action doesn’t always mean implementation

Remember NCLEX exam is not the real world. Time is on your side Always take care of the patient first before the equipment. Memorize normal lab values and be able to interpret them Normal lab values-review

Remember The five rights of medication administration Drugs-actions, side effects and nursing implications

Therapeutic Communication Don’t ask WHY… Focus on the client,not on the nurse Don’t be authoritarian

THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES

Using silence (non verbal) Allows patient to think and reflect. Assuring self Remain seated, maintain eye contact, sit quietly and wait

Using broad openings Encourages patient to talk, Indicates interest in patient Allows patient to choose subject. Eg: ”What would you like to talk about?”

Clarification Encourages recalls and details of particular experience Encourages description of feelings. Makes sure nurse understands the patient. Eg: “Tell me more”, “How do you feel when you are angry?”

Reflecting Paraphrases what patient says Reflects what patient says, especially feelings conveyed Eg: “It sounds like you are feeling angry?”

Other good tips: Encouraging formulation of a plan of axn. Focusing &refocusing Giving information & Presenting reality Listening Maintaining neutral responses Providing non verbal encouragement Sharing perceptions Summarizing

To avoid: Closed ended questions (Yes/NO Qs) –How many children do you have? Advices: Arguing or responding in a hostile way False reassurance –“Don’t worry. You will be okay soon”

To avoid “WHY” Qs: –Why didn’t you take your medication? Judgmental responses –“You were wrong to do that” Changing the subject Being defensive or challenging the client

Positioning questions Know the terminology Good positioning should –Prevent??? –Promote???

Essential positions

Delegation Never delegate assessment, teaching or evaluation to LPN or UAP Delegate care for stable patients with expected outcome Delegate tasks that involve standard, unchanging procedures

Effective methods of study Practice makes man perfect Identify your strengths and weakness Establish a study plan. Seek help if necessary Prepare mentally –Visualize –Exercise

Ineffective ways to prepare Relying on false hopes Lacking respect for the exam Cramming Poor planning © RN India Placements Pvt Ltd

Questions for practice