Best Strategies for taking NCLEX-RN Top Ten Tests

Taking Strategies for NCLEX-RN Top Ten Test Use Guidelines for Prioritizing When a question requires prioritization, all options may be correct and you need todetermine the correct order of action • Best • Essential • First • Highest priority • Immediate • Vital • Most important • Next • Primary Guidelines for Prioritizing! 1. ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation) 2. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory 3. Steps of the nursing process • ABC’s • Remember the order of priority: airway, breathing, and circulation • Airway is always the first priority! The client with a diagnosis of cancer is receiving morphine sulfate for pain. Whenpreparing the plan of care for the client, the nurse includes which priority action? 1. Monitor stools 2. Monitor the urine output 3. Encourage the client to cough and deep breath 4. Encourage fluid intake Second guideline to use for prioritizing: Physiological needs are the priority. When a physiological need is not addressed in thequestion or noted in one of the options, continue to use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory as a guide and look for the option that addresses safety. A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a pregnant client with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia. Which nursing diagnosis, if stated on the plan of care, would the nurse select asreceiving the highest priority? 1. Anxiety 2. Ineffective coping 3. Disturbed body image 4. Deficient Fluid volume The Steps of the Nursing Process • Remember that assessment is the first step • If an option contains the concept of assessment or the collection of client data, it isbest to select that option. ACCEPTION TO RULE The Steps of the Nursing Process • Possible exception to the guideline: • If the question presents an emergency situation, read carefully; in anemergency situation, an intervention may be the priority! A hospitalized client with type 1 diabetes mellitus tells the nurse that she feels like she ishaving a hypoglycemic reaction. The nurse would first: 1. Obtain a blood glucose reading (assessment first) 2. Administer 50% dextrose intravenously 3. Give the client 4 oz of orange juice 4. Administer subcutaneous glucagon hydrochloride Avoid Reading Into the Question Read the question carefully, identify key words or phrases, and focus on the issue of thequestion. What is the question asking? Avoiding asking “Well, What if?” A nurse is caring for a hospitalized client with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure whosuddenly complains of shortness of breath and dyspnea. The nurse takes which immediate action? Prepares to administer furosemide (Lasix)Calls the physician Administers oxygen to the patientElevates the head of the bed Look for key words Some key words may indicate that all of the options are correct, and that it will be necessary to prioritize in order to select the correct option. As you read the question,look for the key words. Key words will make a difference with regard to how you will answer the question. Look for Key Words: • Early or late