Nursing Exams



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Understanding Nursing Exams

Nursing student Most nursing exams are, or should be designed, to prepare you for the NCLEX examination. The questions are not straight- forward and do not directly test knowledge. Knowledge and analytical skills are needed to properly answer the questions.

For example you will NOT see this on a nursing exam:

What is the normal range for PH in the blood?

What you will see on a nursing exam:

The patient presents with ph 7.30, respiration of 17 temp 36.6 what should you check next?

The questions on a nursing exam will not only test your knowledge of the normal lab values but also your ability to apply thought values. Most nursing exams are multiple choice. The NCLEX is mostly multiple choice. If you have the knowledge part down, that is you have studied,  you should be able to eliminate two answers immediately. This is the point that most nursing students get frustrated because the remaining two answers are often both correct. You will need to determine which is the better answer of the two.

This is where your ABC's and  Maslow's hierarchy comes in.
The ABCs are, in order of importance:

  • Airway

  • Breathing

  • Circulation

Once the ABCs are have been deemed okay, then treat (answer) according to the hierarchy. 

Also, nursing exams are not the real world!! You have unlimited time, resources, and the doctor will call you back. Unless the questions specifically ask which patient is the priority, you have time to sit down and hold your patient's hand. 

Steps for preparing for nursing exams

  1. Know the vocabulary and facts. If you don't know the definition of “edema” or “emesis” or what normal sodium levels are, then you cannot answer the question.

  2. Be able to use the facts and vocabulary in your own words. Study groups are great for this.

  3. Apply what you learned. Most text books have case study questions. This is another great activity for your study group

  4. Practice questions. Use both the questions in your textbook and the NCLEX practice books (you will own many of these) to test your knowledge and get experience with nursing exam questions.

Tips Answering Nursing Exams Questions

  • Always treat physical needs before psychosocial needs

  • When prioritizing ask yourself "what patient is the least stable"

  • Assign the LPN the most stable client

  • If any part of an answer is incorrect the entire answer is incorrect

  • Watch for negative questions

Nursing Exam Resources

I can not recommend this book enough for students about enter nursing school or in their first semester. The test questions are broken down into chapters that are very similar to what is taught in the first semester of nursing school. The book will teach a student how to answer NCLEX style questions and prepare you for your exam at the same time.
Test Success is the only book that offers students solid, reliable, advice about studying for nursing exams to develop the skills and confidence they need to maximize success. They will learn time management, effective studying habits, and critical problem solving. The book's proven techniques for enhancing performance, along with classroom-tested practice questions, will guide students through the mastery of the examination process

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