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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Document preview page 1

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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020)

NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) is your essential resource for acing certification exams with confidence.

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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 2 preview imageDownloadedfromStudyXY.com®+StudyXYSdYe.o>\|iF’prE\3SStudyAnythingThisContentHasbeenPostedOnStudyXY.comassupplementarylearningmaterial.StudyXYdoesnotendroseanyuniversity,collegeorpublisher.Allmaterialspostedareundertheliabilityofthecontributors.wv8)www.studyxy.com
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 5 preview imageNCLEX-RNForDummies®,2ndEditionwithOnlinePracticePublishedby:JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030-5774,www.wiley.comCopyright©2020byJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,Hoboken,NewJerseyMediaandsoftwarecompilationcopyright©2020byJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanadaNopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,scanningorotherwise,exceptaspermittedunderSections107or108ofthe1976UnitedStatesCopyrightAct,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher.RequeststothePublisherforpermissionshouldbeaddressedtothePermissionsDepartment,JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030,(201)748-6011,fax(201)748-6008,oronlineathttp://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.Trademarks:Wiley,ForDummies,theDummiesManlogo,Dummies.com,MakingEverythingEasier,andrelatedtradedressaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,andmaynotbeusedwithoutwrittenpermission.Allothertrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners.JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,isnotassociatedwithanyproductorvendormentionedinthisbook.LIMITOFLIABILITY/DISCLAIMEROFWARRANTY:WHILETHEPUBLISHERANDAUTHORHAVEUSEDTHEIRBESTEFFORTSINPREPARINGTHISBOOK,THEYMAKENOREPRESENTATIONSORWARRANTIESWITHRESPECTTOTHEACCURACYORCOMPLETENESSOFTHECONTENTSOFTHISBOOKANDSPECIFICALLYDISCLAIMANYIMPLIEDWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.NOWARRANTYMAYBECREATEDOREXTENDEDBYSALESREPRESENTATIVESORWRITTENSALESMATERIALS.THEADVICEANDSTRATEGIESCONTAINEDHEREINMAYNOTBESUITABLEFORYOURSITUATION.YOUSHOULDCONSULTWITHAPROFESSIONALWHEREAPPROPRIATE.NEITHERTHEPUBLISHERNORTHEAUTHORSHALLBELIABLEFORDAMAGESARISINGHEREFROM.Forgeneralinformationonourotherproductsandservices,pleasecontactourCustomerCareDepartmentwithintheU.S.at877-762-2974,outsidetheU.S.at317-572-3993,orfax317-572-4002.Fortechnicalsupport,pleasevisithttps://hub.wiley.com/community/support/dummies.Wileypublishesinavarietyofprintandelectronicformatsandbyprint-on-demand.Somematerialincludedwithstandardprintversionsofthisbookmaynotbeincludedine-booksorinprint-on-demand.IfthisbookreferstomediasuchasaCDorDVDthatisnotincludedintheversionyoupurchased,youmaydownloadthismaterialathttp://booksupport.wiley.com.FormoreinformationaboutWileyproducts,visitwww.wiley.com.LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2020941814ISBN:978-1-119-69282-9(pbk)ISBN:978-1-119-69280-5(ebk);ISBN978-1-119-69269-0(ebk)Study.
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 6 preview imageNCLEX-RNForDummies®withOnlinePracticeToviewthisbook'sCheatSheet,simplygotowww.dummies.comandsearchfor“NCLEX-RNForDummiesCheatSheet”intheSearchbox.TableofContentsCoverIntroductionAboutThisBookFoolishAssumptionsIconsUsedinThisBookBeyondtheBookWheretoGofromHerePart1:DemystifyingtheComplexityoftheNCLEX-RNChapter1:MeettheNCLEX-RN:YourTickettoGettingaLicenseTheBigDealbehindtheBigExamYouMustRememberThis:NursingBasicstoKnowbyHeartTheNCLEX-RN—NotYourAverageCATScan!ThinkingtheNCLEX-RNWayWhenAllIsSaidandDoneChapter2:PreparingforT-Day:PaperworkandWhatnotHowLongShould|Waitafter|Graduate?DecidingWhentoTestApplyingtoTaketheNCLEX-RNSchedulingtheTimeandPlacePlanningAheadfortheBigDayHelp,MyCarWon'tStart!ReschedulingtheTestChapter3:TheNCLEX-RNBlueprintConsideringtheFourMainCategoriesofClientNeedsQueuingUpQuestionTypesChapter4:BuffingUp:StudyTipsandTest-TakingStrategiesSettingUpanNCLEX-RNStudyScheduleIdentifyingYourWeakPointsandHittingtheBooksRememberingDearMaslowandHisNeedsApplyingtheNursingProcessinTestQuestions
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 7 preview imageDissectingtheQuestionsandFindingKeywordsDevelopingCritical-ThinkingStrategiesAvoidingTestQuestionPitfallsPart2:TestingYourKnowledgeofClientNeedsChapter5:ManagementofCareFirstThingsFirst:KnowingYourPatient'sRightsRallyingtheTroops:ManagingCareRecognizingLegalRightsandNursingResponsibilitiesKnowingWheretoGettheSupportYouNeedChapter6:SafetyandInfectionControlPreventingAccidentsandInjuriesDisasterPlanningandEmergencyResponseKeepingInfectiousBugsatBayKeepingClientsDowninaWayThatLiftsThemUpAccidentsHappen:KnowingtheNextStepsandPreparinganIncidentReportCodePink:UnderstandingtheProtocolforInfantAbductionChapter7:HealthPromotionandMaintenanceSurveyingtheStagesofGrowthandDevelopmentToYourClients’Health!PromotingWell-BeingCreatingandImplementingCarePlansHandlingHigh-RiskBehaviorandAlternateLifestyleChoicesPreparingPatientstoLeaveYourCareChapter8:PsychosocialIntegrityLookingBeyondtheSurface:FactorsThatInfluenceBehaviorCoping,Counseling,andCrisisInterventionHelpingPatientsthroughGriefandLossCaringforPatientswithAbuseIssuesChapter9:BasicCareandComfortGivingPatientsFirstWhatTheyNeedMostEnsuringAdequateNutritionandHydrationRestingEasy,SleepingSoundlyKeeping'emClean:PersonalHygieneUnderstandingtheProcessofEliminationWadingthroughIrrigationsProvidingHolisticCarewithAlternativeandComplementaryMedicineDecreasingPainwithoutPillsHelpingPatientsGetAround(andWhattoDoifTheyCan't)
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 8 preview imageChapter10:MeditatingonMeds:PharmacologicalandParenteralTherapiesRememberingtheFactorsYouMustVerifybeforeGivingMedsMedicatingPatientsSafelyUsingMedicinetoManagePainGivingMedsandMorewithaStickandaPoke:ParenteralTherapyChapter11:ReductionofRiskInterpretingLabResultswithoutaHitchRecognizingtheMainDiagnosticAssessmentsBeingReadyfortheBumps:ComplicationswithTestingandTreatingTakingaLoadOff:TherapeuticProceduresandDiagnosticTestsAdministeringConsciousSedationSafelyChapter12:PhysiologicalAdaptationUnderstandingWhat'sNormalSoYouKnowWhatIsn'tAnticipatingtheResultsofImbalancePathophysiology:RecognizingandManagingllinessandDiseaseTakingaPatientforTestsandTherapyPart3:JustWhatYouWereLookingFor:AFull-LengthPracticeTestChapter13:AStoryofBlood,Chills,andPain:APracticeNCLEX-RNChapter14:TheAnswerstoAllYourQuestions(andExplanationstoBoot)AnswersandExplanationsAnswerKeyPart4:ThePartofTensChapter15:TenMythsabouttheNCLEX-RNLengthMattersEveryQuestionCountsComputerSavvyIsEssentialYouCan'tStoptilYou'reDoneTheTestPlaysOffYourWeaknessYouHavetoWaitEonstoRetakeaFailedTestYourFirstInstinctIsProbablyWrongTheSameQuestionPoppedUpTwiceYourTestScheduleChoosesYouChoice(3)IstheMagicAnswer,andOtherMultiple-ChoiceFailsChapter16:TenCommonPhrasesFoundinNCLEX-RNQuestionsAssessmentandPriority
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 9 preview imageDiagnosisPlanningandAssigningCareTheTeachingPlanOutcomesandGoalsBestResponsePriorityActionInterventionsFurtherTeachingChapter17:TenRulestoRememberWhenPreppingfortheNCLEX-RNReadEachQuestioninItsEntiretyDon’tReadintotheQuestionAnswerQuestionswiththeIdealSituationinMindAvoidChangingYourAnswersDon'tCalltheDoctoruntilYou'reSureYouNeedToAvoidAnswersThatMakeYouChooseAllorNothingDon’tMemorizeFacts,Questions,orOtherUselessTriviaDon’tThinkYouCanBeReadywithoutHardWorkKnowYourStrengthsandWeaknessesBeKindtoYourselfPart5:AppendixesAppendixA:AdditionalInfoaboutExamandLicensingLogisticsIdentifyingIndividualStateandTerritoryLicensingRequirementsTestingandLicensingInformationArrangedbyStateandU.S.TerritoryAppendixB:InformationforInternationalNursesMovingtotheUnitedStatesFollowingtheTwo-StepProcessforBecomingEligibletoTaketheNCLEX-RNTakingtheNCLEX-RNAbroadNavigatingNursingRolesintheU.S.GettingAccustomedtoU.S.CulturalValuesCommunicatingTherapeuticallyApplyingU.S.NursingKnow-HowtotheNCLEX-RNAppendixC:GlossaryofNursingTermsIndexAbouttheAuthorsAdvertisementPageConnectwithDummies
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 10 preview imageEndUserLicenseAgreementListofTablesChapter3TABLE3-1PercentageBreakdownofNCLEX-RNContentChapter6TABLE6-1CommonInfectiousConditionsandPrecautionsChapter10TABLE10-1EndingsCommontoDrugClassificationsTABLE10-2SolutionsandTheirApplicationsChapter11TABLE11-1NormalBloodValuesTABLE11-2WhiteBloodCellValuesTABLE11-3NormalUrineValuesTABLE11-4NormalValuesforAdultVitalSignsTABLE11-5NormalValuesforNewbornVitalSignsTABLE11-6NormalValuesforToddlerVitalSignsListofIllustrationsChapter3FIGURE3-1:Locatewheretoplacethedefibrillatorpaddlestohelpthisman.FIGURE3-2:Placethedefibrillatorpaddlesasindicated.FIGURE3-3:Locatewherethefingersshouldbeplacedtotakearadialpulse.FIGURE3-4:Foraradialpulse,placethefingersasindicated.Chapter4FIGURE4-1:Maslow’shierarchyofneeds.Chapter12FIGURE12-1:Aninfectiousillnesschainofevents.
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 11 preview image.IntroductionWelcometoNCLEX-RNForDummies.Don’tworry,you'redefinitelynotdumbforpickingupthisbook.Likemillionsofotherfuturenursesworldwide,youwantstraightforwardadviceandinformationwithouthavingtocarryaround4,000-questiontestprepbooks.Trustme,youdon’twanttotackletheNCLEX-RNwithoutunderstandinghowthetestisputtogetherandwhatit’sreallyallabout.TheNCLEX-RNisoneimportanttest.Clearly,youneedareadable,concise,structuredresourcetohelpyoutackletheexam.You’vecometotherightplace.NCLEX-RNForDummiesputseverythingyouneedtoknowtoconquertheexamatyourfingertips.Igiveyouacompletereviewofconceptscoveredonthetestandprovideinsightonhowtoavoidthepitfallsthatthetestdevelopershavedesignedtotestyourknowledge.AndIdoallthisinanenjoyable,easy-to-understandway.1takeNCLEX-RNtestpreponestepfartherbyguidingyouthroughsomeofthemoredifficultareasoftheexamandsharingtechniquesforansweringquestionswhenyoudon’tknowtheanswers.Ievencoverwhatyouneedtodothroughouttheexamprocess,fromregistrationtotestday,andhowyoubecomelicensedinastateofyourchoiceintheUnitedStatesoritsterritories.Ialsoshareinformationaboutcompactormultistatenursinglicensing.Ifyou'recomingfromaninternationalschooltopracticenursingintheUnitedStates,Itellyouwhatyouneedtodo,too.YoumayhaveheardhorrorstoriesabouttheNCLEX-RN,perhapsabouthowyouhavetotakeitonacomputerorhowthequestionsgetmoredifficultasyougoalong.Yes,theNCLEX-RNisnowalkinthepark,butit’snotthehardesttestyou’reevergoingtotake.TheNCLEX-RNmeasuresminimalcompetencyandyourclinicaljudgment,andthefactthatyou’vegraduatedfromnursingschoolisanindicationthatyou’veattainedminimalknowledgecompetencyalready.Fromthere,theNCLEX-RNexpectsyoutobeabletoreadcarefullyandquicklyandthenapplywhatyouknowfromyournursingprogramclassestothesituationpresentedinthequestion.YoualreadyhavethenursingknowledgeyouneedtosucceedontheNCLEX-RN—youjusthavetoapplyyourcriticalthinkingskillstoeachsituationtocomeupwiththerightanswers.Thisbookhelpsyourefinethoseskillsandapplythemtothequestionsontheexamination.Readingthroughthisbookanddoingthepracticequestions(andIprovidealotofthembothinthebookandonline)cangiveyouaprettygoodideaofwhatyou’llfaceontestday..AboutThisBookIsuspectyouaren’teagerlyanticipatingsittingfortheNCLEX-RN,andyouprobablyaren’tlookingforwardtostudyingforit,either.Thegoodnewsisthatyoualreadyknoweverythingyouneedtoknowforthisexam,sostudyingisjustidentifyingandsharpeningyourweakareas.WhatIdointhisbookisgiveyousomepointstoconcentrateon.Imakethepreparationprocesseasierforyoubybreakingdowntheinformationyouneedtoknowintoeasy-to-processbites.EachchapterofNCLEX-RNForDummiesincludessamplequestionsthatillustratejusthowtheNCLEX-RNtestsparticularconcepts.IwantyoutobecomfortablewiththewaytheNCLEX-RNphrasesquestionsandexpressesanswerchoices,sothesamplequestionsreadjustlikeactualtestquestions.Thisbookalsogivesyouaccesstotwopracticeexams:Theexamthatappearsinthebookiscompletewithanswersandrationales,andtheexam
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 12 preview imageonlinepresentsthequestionsinamannersimilartotheactualexam.(Iprovidetheanswersandrationalesforthesequestions,too.)Eachofthepracticeexamscontains250questions.There’snosilverbulletforpassingthisexam,butyoucanstartoutontherightfootbyconsideringmyadviceforhowtostudyandrelaxbeforeyougoinforthetest.TimeisoftheessencewhentakingtheNCLEX-RN,soIprovidetechniquesforansweringparticularkindsofquestionsintheshortestamountoftime.Ialsoshowyouhowtoquicklyeliminateincorrectanswersandmakeeducatedguesses.Thekeytosuccessonthetestisharnessingyourabilitytodrawupontheknowledgeyoupickedupinschoolandthinkthroughthequestionsandanswers.Knowingwhatthequestionisaskingandthenpickingtherightansweristhekeytosuccess,andthisbookhelpsyoudojustthat.Soundssimple,doesn’tit?Actually,itissimple;it’sallinhowyouapproachtheexam.Withsomanyreviewbooksonthemarketandsomanyquestionstopreparefor,youmaybeaskingyourself,“What'sthebestwaytoreviewforthisexam?”Well,thebestwayistofollowmyadviceandworkthroughthechaptersinthisbook.FocusingonthetopicsIcoverandreviewingthesamplequestionsandanswersshouldleaveyoufeelingcompletelypreparedtotackletheexam.Doctorisabroadtermencompassingavarietyofdisciplinesanddegrees.Forsimplicity,Iusedoctorthroughoutthisbooktorefertoaclient’smedicalprovider,whomaybeaphysician,anursepractitioner,andsoon...FoolishAssumptionsWhilewritingthisbook,Imadeafewassumptionsaboutyou—namely,whoyouareandwhyyoupickedupthisbook.IassumethatYou'vegraduatedfromnursingschoolandareseriouslyconsideringtakingtheNCLEX-RNsoon.(Infact,thesooneryoutakeitaftergraduation,thebetter!)Youaren’tadummy;yougraduatedfromnursingschool,whichisahugeaccomplishmentinitself.YoujustknowlittleabouttheNCLEX-RNandwanttoincreaseyourchancesofbeingsuccessfulandpassingonthefirsttry.You'vepickedupthisbookprimarilybecauseyouwanttopracticeyourchosenprofessionassoonaspossible,andpassingtheNCLEX-RNistheonlywaytogetthere!o.IconsUsedinThisBookTuseiconsthroughoutthisbooktocallyourattentiontoimportanttidbitsofinformation.Here’stherundownofwhateachgraphiciconhighlights:Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 13 preview imageYouguessedit!Thisiconmarksstuffyoushouldremember.It’salsoinformationthatyoushouldreviewifyoufindyourselfwithafewextraminutesofstudytime.ThisiconmarksusefulbitsofinformationthatmaycomeinhandywhenyoustudyforortaketheNCLEX-RN.ThisiconidentifiesquestionsresemblingthoseontheactualNCLEX-RN.TheWarningiconalertsyoutopotentiallydangeroussituations.BeyondtheBookInadditiontowhatyou’rereadingrightnow,thisbookcomeswithafreeaccess-anywhereCheatSheetthatincludestipstohelpyoupreparefortheNCLEX-RN.TogetthisCheatSheet,simplygotowww.dummies.comandtypeNCLEX-RNForDummiesCheatSheetintheSearchbox.Youalsogetaccesstotwofull-lengthonlinepracticetests(theoneinthisbookandauniqueone)andhundredsofflashcards.Togainaccesstotheonlinepractice,allyouhavetodoisregister.Justfollowthesesimplesteps:1.RegisteryourbookorebookatDummies.comtogetyourPIN.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/getaccess.2.Selectyourproductfromthedrop-downlistonthatpage.3.Followthepromptstovalidateyourproduct,andthencheckyouremailforaconfirmationmessagethatincludesyourPINandinstructionsforloggingin.Ifyoudonotreceivethisemailwithintwohours,pleasecheckyourspamfolderbeforecontactingusthroughourTechnicalSupportwebsiteathttp://support.wiley.comorbyphoneat877-762-2974.Nowyou'rereadytogo!Youcancomebacktothepracticematerialasoftenasyouwant—simplylogonwiththeusernameandpasswordyoucreatedduringyourinitiallogin.Noneedtoentertheaccesscodeasecondtime.YourregistrationisgoodforoneyearfromthedayyouactivateyourPIN.Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 14 preview imageAsthisbookgoestopress,theworldwideCOVID-19pandemichasnecessitatedsometemporarychangesinhowtheNCLEX-RNisadministered.CheckouttheDownloadstabontheNCLEX-RNpageatdummies.comforaresourceoutliningthosechanges.WheretoGofromHereIfyouboughtthisbookorarethinkingaboutit,youmustbeplanningtotaketheNCLEX-RN.Butjustbuyingthisbookdoesn’thelpyoumuchifitjustsitsonyourbookshelfgatheringdust.Togetthefullbenefit,youhavetoopenitup,readit,andworkthroughthesamplequestions.Everyonehasdifferentstrengthsandweaknesses,sothisbookisdesignedtobereadinawaythatbestsuitsyou.Forexample,ifyoufeelthatyouknoweverythingabouthowtotaketheNCLEX-RN,fromhowit’sdesignedtohowtotacklequestions,thenyoucanskiptoPart2andthechaptersthataddressclientneeds.Ifyou'reverycomfortablewithclientneedsandareanexcellentcaregiverbutareunsureaboutthetest,thenyou’rebetterofffocusingonPart1.Togetthemostoutofthebookasastudytool,Isuggestthatyoutakeamorethoroughapproachtothesubjectandreadthewholething.Butregardlessofyouroverallapproach,thisbookisdesignedinawaythatallowsyoutoskimthroughthesectionsthatyouknowalotabout(perhapshittingjusttheexamplequestions)andfocusonsectionsaboutwhichyou'renotasconfident.Ifyou'reconsideringtakingthetestforatrialrunbeforeyoucrackthisbookandreallystartstudying,Irecommendagainstit.Takingthetestwithoutstudyingfirstisjustawasteofyourtimeandmoney.TogetthemostoutofyourNCLEX-RNexperience,reviewalltheclientneeds,knowwhatthetestislookingfor,andthentakethepracticeexaminations.Thepracticeexamsshowyouwhichareasareyourstrengthsandwhichareasyouneedtofocusyourattentionon.Isuggestyoutaketheoneinthebookfirst,seewhichareasareyourweakest,brushuponthoseareas,andthenproceedonlinefortheotherpracticeexam.Intheend,howyouusethisbookisuptoyou.You'retheonetakingthetest,andyou'retheonewhohastodecidewhatyoustudyandhowmuchtimeyousetasidetodoso.
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 15 preview imagePart1DemystifyingtheComplexityoftheNCLEX-RN
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 16 preview imageINTHISPART...CometogripswiththebasicsoftakingtheNCLEX-RN.Determinewhentotaketheexamandgeteverythinginorderforyourtestingappointment.Brushuponclientneeds.GetahandleonthevarietyofquestiontypesontheNCLEX.Puttogetherastrategyfortakingtheexam.UseimportantconceptssuchasMaslow’shierarchyandquestionkeywordstoanswertestquestions.Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 17 preview imageChapter1..MeettheNCLEX-RN:YourTickettoGettingaLicenseINTHISCHAPTERRecallingnursingbasicsUnderstandingthistypeoftestApproachingtheNCLEX-RNwithaplanHandlingtheaftermath—bothgoodandbadCongratulations!Yougraduatedfromnursingschoolandyou'realmostreadytostartpracticingasa“realnurse.”Onlyonethingstandsinyourway:theNCLEX-RN,whichispreparedandadministeredbytheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing(NCSBN)toeverynursingschoolgraduateinthe50UnitedStates,theDistrictofColumbia,andfiveU.S.territories(AmericanSamoa,Guam,theNorthernMarianaIslands,PuertoRico,andtheU.S.VirginIslands).Apassinggradeonthisexamisyourtickettoanewcareer;withoutit,youcan’tpracticenursing.Fromyourcurrentvantagepoint,passingtheNCLEX-RNmaylooklikeahugeobstacle—oneyoumaybeafraidyoucan’tovercome.Takeheart!I'mheretogiveyoutheconfidenceandknowledgeyouneedtoconquertheNCLEX-RN.Inthischapter,Ifamiliarizeyouwiththetestplan,talkaboutcomputeradaptivetesting,andsharewhattheNCLEX-RNreallywantsfromyou.Ialsotellyouhowtoidentifythecorrectanswerstotestquestionsbyrecognizingkeywordsandfiguringoutwhatthequestionisaskingandgiveyouanideaofwhattoexpectaftertheexam..o.TheBigDealbehindtheBigExamTheNCLEX-RNhasonlyoneobjective:todeterminewhetheryoucansafelyoperateasanentry-levelnurseinthestateinwhichyou’vechosentopractice.Itisn’tatestofyourIQorhowfastyoucanstartanIV.Itislookingatyourclinicaljudgment:Doyouknowwhattodoinclinicalsituations?Inotherwords,canyouthinkcritically?TheNCLEX-RNdoesn’tpredicthowsuccessfulyournursingcareerwillbeorwhetheryou’llbecomeanurseleader.Allyouhavetodoisdemonstratethatyouhavetheclinicalknowledgeandjudgmentnecessarytoprovidesafeandeffectivecarenecessarytomeettheneedsofthetypesofclientsyou'llencounterinthehealthcareworkplace.Andinordertogetyourlicense,youmustpassthetest.Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 18 preview imageNCLEX-RN:THENEXTGENERATIONYoumayhaveheardoftheNextGenerationNCLEX(NGN),anewversionoftheexamtheNCSBNisdevelopinginanattempttobettertestthecomplexitiesofclinicaljudgmentnewnursesencounter.Aspartofthisprocess,somecandidatesreceiveanextra,completelyvoluntarysectiononnewquestiontypesattheendoftheirNCLEXexam.YoucanreadmoreabouttheNGNatwww.ncsbn.org/next-generation-nclex.htm.SometimesstudentsthinkthattheNCLEX-RNisacertificationexamination;it’snot.Acertificationexaminationisonethatcertifiesacertainbodyofknowledgebyanorganizationthat’saccreditedtodoso.InthecaseoftheNCLEX-RN,you'retestedonyourabilitytopracticeasanurse.Whenyoupass,you'reissuedalicensebythestate,andonceyou'relicensed,youcangooutandgetthejobofyourdreams.Here'salittle-knownsecret:Ifyougraduatedfromaschoolofnursing,youcanpasstheNCLEX-RN.Nursingschoolsareevaluatedonhowwelltheirgraduatesperformontheexam,sotheyrereluctanttograduatestudentswhocan’tdemonstratepotentialforsuccessontheNCLEX-RN.Soifyougraduated,youhavewhatittakes.Kudos!TheNCLEX-RNismuchlesscomplicatedthanmostexamsyou’vetakeninschool,lessdifficultthanmostofyourclinicalrotations,andfarlesstime-consumingthanallthepapersyou'vewritten,careplansyou'vedevised,andotherrequirementsyoumetinordertoevenbeeligibletotakethistest.TheNCSBNactuallyconductsastudyeverythreeyearstodeterminewhatentry-levelnursesdo,whatresponsibilitiesthey’regiven,wheretheywork,andwhattypeofcareisrequiredtomeettheneedsoftheclient.Inthisway,thecouncilcantailorthetestquestionstoreflectwhatnewnursesactuallyexperienceintheirfirstjobs.ThepeoplewhowritetheNCLEX-RNquestionsarelookingforbasicsafety,competentdecision-making,andlogicalprioritizing.Keepthosetopicsforemostinyourmind!.oYouMustRememberThis:Nursing.BasicstoKnowbyHeartIfnursingwerejustinputtingdataandoutputtingcareplans,computerscouldreplacelivepeople.Butnursingismuchmorethanapplyingthenursingprocesstoadiseaseprocess;itinvolvesthecare,feeding,andnurturingofpeople.TheNCSBN,initssomewhatconvolutedway,hasbrokentheseprinciplesdownintowhatitcallsintegratedprocesses.(Yes,it’safancynameforsomethingbasic,butafteryearsofnursingschool,youshouldStudy!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 19 preview imagebeusedtothat.)Whatthesefourintegratedprocesses—caring,communication,documentation,andteaching—boildowntoisreallyverysimple:Caring:Caringputspeopleaboveequipmentorpaperwork.Lookatyourpatientbeforeyoulookatmachines,labresults,orevennursingprocesses.Seethepersonfirst.Communication:Therapeuticcommunicationskillshelpyouimmeasurablyindealingwitheveryonefromyourpatientstolabtechnicians.Neverunderestimatethepowerofeffectivecommunicationwhileworkingasanurse;failuretocommunicatewellmaynotonlyharmyourpatientbutalsomakeyourlifemiserable.(CheckoutChapter8formoreontherapeuticcommunication.)Documentation:Documentingcaregivenandthepatient’sresponsetoitisbothalegalrequirementandoneofthemajorcommunicationmethodsbetweenhealthcareworkers.Teaching:Asanurse,youteachpatients,theircaretakers,andotherteammemberseveryday.Youcanbeagoodtechnicalnursewithoutintegratingtheseconceptsintoyournursingcare,butnursingismorethancuringsickpeople;it’scaringforthem,communicatingwiththem,andteachingthem.ThefourintegratedprocessesappearontheNCLEX-RNintheformofpracticalapplications.Keepinginmindallthetheoriesandpracticesthatyouknowfromnursingschool,youshouldrecognizethefollowingthemesinexamquestions:Patientsafetyisalwaysatoppriority.Rememberingtheclient'sABCs(airway,breathing,circulation)isessential.Physiologicalneedsshouldbemetbeforeotherneeds.Doingwhatittakestomeetpatientneedscomesbeforeothertasks.Athoroughassessmentisnecessarybeforeundertakingotherstepsofthenursingprocess.Partofthefirststepinthenursingprocessisassessingthepatient’semotionalstatus.Assessthepatient’sreadinesstolearnbeforedesigningateachingprogram.Denialanddisbelievingaregenerallythefirstresponsestonewsofalossoranticipatedloss.Nursesmustdelivercareinanonjudgmentalmanner.TheNCLEX-RN—NotYourAverageCATScan!Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 20 preview imageAtsomepointinnursingschool,youlearnedwhataCATscanis,right?Well,theNCLEX-RNisaCATexam,butthatdoesn’tmeanwhatyouthink.Inthiscase,CATstandsforcomputerizedadaptivetesting.TheNCLEX-RNisnolongerapaper-and-pencilexam.Instead,thetestisadministeredoncomputers,whichallowformorereliabletestresultsbecausethequestionscanbetargetedtoyourability(asjudgedbyyouranswertoeachquestion).Therefore,noteveryonegetsthesametest.Thetestitemsthatyouseearespecificallychosenbasedontheansweryougivetotheprecedingquestion.Usingyourmostrecentresponse,thetestingprogramsearchestheitembankforaquestionthathasadegreeofdifficultythat’sequaltoyourability.Thisprocessgoesonuntilyouanswerenoughquestionstomakeitclearthatyourabilityiseitheraboveorbelowthepassingstandard.Thisquestionprocessiswhysomepeopleget75questionsandpassandothersget75questionsandfail.Sothelengthofyourexamisnotapredictorofapassorfailresult—don’tevenwasteyourtimetryingtopredictwhetheryou'vepassedorfailed!Whenyoutakethetest,yougetanywherefrom75to265questions,allpresentedinrandomorder.Ofthesequestions,15areconsideredexperimentalitemsandarenotscoredbecausetheNCLEX-RNpeopleusethemtodeterminewhethertheywanttosubjectfuturetesttakerstothosequestions,dependingonhowyoudoonthem.TheNCLEX-RNscoresonlyquestionsthathavebeentestedforreliability,sosomeofthequestionsyougetmaynotactuallyimpactyourscore.Don’tpanicifyougetaquestionthatyoucan’tseemtograsp;itmayjustbeoneoftheexperimentalitems.Ontheotherhand,don’tassumethateverydifficultquestionisanexperimentaloneanddisregarditbytakinganuneducatedguess.Questionsappearoneatatimeonyourcomputerscreen.Youcanvieweachquestionaslongasyoulike,butyoucan’tgobacktopreviousquestions.Youalsocan’tskipquestions.Afteryouchooseyouranswer,you’reaskedtoconfirmyourchoicebypressingthe<NEXT>button.Youcan’tgoonuntilyouconfirmyouranswer,butyoucanreviewthequestionandchangeyouranswerasmanytimesasyoulikebeforeyousubmitit.Anotherlogisticalissuetokeepinmindcomeexamdayisthatthetestistimed.YouhaveuptosixhourstocompletetheNCLEX-RN,withtwoprescheduledbreaksthatyoumayeithertakeoroptoutof.(Oneminuteperquestionismorethanenoughtimetocompletetheexamaheadofthesix-hourlimit,sodon’tpanic.)Ifyoudorunoutoftimeforthetest,thegoodnewsisthatyoustillmightpass!That’sbecausethetestisevaluatedbywhetheryouwereabovethepassingstandardforthelast60questions.Somissingaquestionortwobutstayingabovethepassingstandarddownthestretchmeansyoustillpass!Thecomputertellsyouwhenyourscheduledbreaksbegin,butyoumaybreakforaslongasyoulike.FrommyownexperienceandthatofallthenursingprofessionalsIknow,Iurgeyoutotakeyourbreaks—don’tjustsitatthecomputer.Leavetheroomanddodeepbreathingexercises,orjusttakeawalkaroundthetestcenteroutsidethetestingarea.Duringthebreaks,don’treviewyouranswerswithothercandidatesorcheckyournotes;you'renotallowedtodoeither,anddoingsoanywaywilldefinitelyincreaseeveryone’sanxietybecauseyou'llallbeconvincedthatanotherpersonwasright!ooThinkingtheNCLEX-RNWay
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 21 preview imageStudentswhotaketheNCLEX-RNoftensaythatit’sthehardesttestthey’veevertaken.Isthisalogicalstatement?TheNCLEX-RNisprimarilymadeupofmultiple-choiceandselect-all-that-applyquestionsbasedonnursingknowledge,andittestsyourabilitytomakeclinicaldecisionsbasedoninformationprovided.Soundfamiliar?TheNCLEX-RNreallyisn’tthatdifferentfrommanyotherteststhatyou’vealreadytakenandpassed.Primarilyisn’tthesameasentirely.TheNCLEXfeaturesothernontraditionaltypesofquestions,suchashotspotandcasestudy,whichIcoverinChapter3.Thefollowingsectionsgiveyouanoverviewofsomequestion-answeringstrategiesandexamplequestionstopracticeon.Youcanreadmoreaboutthesetopics,includingthekeywordstechniqueIusethroughout,inChapter4.GettingtotherootofthequestionTheNCLEX-RNprimarilyconsistsofapplicationquestionsthat,whenyougetrightdowntoit,simplyask,“Whatwouldyoudoinacertainsituation?”MostofthesituationspresentedontheNCLEX-RNcouldreallyhappen,andyou’reaskedtosolveproblemsusingatechniquecalledcriticalthinking.Criticalthinkingisjustabuzzwordformakingadecisionbasedonobserving,identifyingtheproblem,decidingwhat’smostimportant,recoveringpastknowledge(whatyoulearnedinschool),andapplyingthatknowledgetothesituationpresented.Thatdoesn’tsoundsohard,doesit?Thequestionsaskonlyabouttheparticularsituationpresented.Moststudents’biggestmistakeisaddinginformationthatisn’tnecessaryorevenappropriatetothequestions.Remember,answeronlythequestionthatappearsonthescreen,usingonlytheinformationyou'regiven.Don’taddanything!Thefollowingisanexampleofatypicalcritical-thinkingquestion.Theanswerexplanationthatfollowsitwalksyouthroughtheanswerprocess:Anurseisdiscussinglong-termcarewiththeparentsofachildwithaventriculoperitonealshunt.Whichofthefollowingshouldbeincludedtopreventcomplicationsfromtheshunt?(1)Restrictallchildhoodactivities.(2)Havethechildwearaprotectivehelmet.(3)Anysignsofillnessmustreceiveimmediateattention.(4)Avoidplacingthechildinaside-lyingposition.Usekeywordstofigureoutwhatthequestionistrulyasking.Inthiscase,thekeywordsarelong-termcare,childwithventriculoperitonealshunt,andshouldbeincludedtopreventcomplicationsfromtheshunt.Inthissituation,thenurseisdiscussinglong-termcare,sothecorrectanswerissomethingthatneedstobedoneinordertomaintaintheStudy.
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 22 preview imagechildatanoptimalleveloffunction.Whichofthechoicesismostlikelytodothat?Restrictingallactivitiescouldn’tpossiblymaintainoptimalfunctioninachild.Aprotectivehelmetdoesn’tprotectaventriculoperitonealshuntbecauseit’saninternaldevice.Reportinganysignsofillnessformedicalattentionisamustbecauseaventriculoperitonealshuntcanbecomeinfected.Avoidingside-lyingpositioningisashort-terminterventionintherecoveryperiod,notinthedischargeplan.Sowhichofthechoicesanswersthequestion?Ofcourse,it’sChoice(3).Evenifyoudon’tknowwhataventriculoperitonealshuntis,youcancometothisanswerbythinkingtheNCLEX-RNway.Readthequestionandaskyourself,“What'sthemainpointofthequestion,andwhatknowledgedoIneedtousetochoosethebestanswer?”Byfocusingonlong-termcareandwhat'sbestforachild,youcaneliminatethewronganswers.Navigatingthegrandinquisition,ortheintegratedexamNomatterwhatanswersyouhaveinyourhead,youmayseesomethingtotallyunexpectedontheexam.Thequestionsmaybeverydifferentfromtheonesthatyou'reusedtogettinginnursingschool.Youneedtobecome“testwise”fortheNCLEX-RN,whichmeansthatyouneedtoknowhowtonavigatethroughcomplexinformation.Testsinnursinginvolvecomplexinformationthathasnotonlydepthbutalsobreadth.Inadditiontoitsownbodyofknowledge,nursingdrawsfromavarietyofdisciplines.ThecontenttestedontheNCLEX-RNiswhatIcallintegrated,whichmeansthatitisn’tdividedintoseparatecategories,suchasmedical,surgical,psychiatric,pediatric,andobstetricnursing.Itisn’tevenlimitedtonursingclasses—youmayseequestionsaboutchemistry,biology,andalltheothercoursesyoutookasastudent.Questionsontheexammayincludeacombinationofthesedisciplines,asinthisexample:Apregnantwomanpresentsintheemergencyroomwithcomplaintsofsevereheadachefortwodays,someepisodesofdoublevision,andanobservationthatherringshavebecometightlately.Shehasahistoryofhypertensionandisonasodium-restricteddiet.Whichofthefollowingassessmentswouldthenursereporttothephysicianimmediately?(1)BP130/88(2)Proteinuria2+ondipstick(3)Fetalheartrateof146withgoodvariability(4)2+nonpittingedemaofthefeetLookforkeywords:pregnantwoman,complaintsofsevereheadachefortwodays,doublevision,ringshavebecometight,historyofhypertension,sodium-restricteddiet,andwhichofthefollowingassessmentswouldthenursereporttothephysician.Thisquestionisintegratedbecauseittestsyourknowledgeofdifferentsystems.Couldthepregnancybeaffectingthehypertension?Couldthehypertensionaffectthepregnancy?Theanswertothosequestionsis“yes.”Sowhichassessmentfindingisthemostabnormal?Or,inotherwords,whichfindingneedsimmediatemedicalattention?Choice(1)isn’tanabnormalfindingbasedonstandardnormalbloodpressurevaluesinadultsof100/70to140/90.Choice(2)isabnormalbecauseurineshouldnevercontainStudy!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 23 preview imageprotein;it’sanindicationthattherenalfunctionisimpaired.Choice(3)isnormal;fetalheartratesrangefrom120to160beatsperminute.AndasforChoice(4),nonpittingedemaofthefeetinpregnancyisacommondiscomfortrelatedtoincreasedpressureonthevenousreturnbythegrowinguterus.Withthisinformationgatheredfromthoroughlyexaminingeachansweroption,youcaneasilydecidewhichfindingshouldbereportedtothephysician.Choice(2)iscorrectbecauseitindicatesabnormalrenalfunctionneedingimmediateevaluationandtreatment.Isn’tthiseasy?Oratleasteasierthanyouthoughtitwasgoingtobe?Regardlessoftheprimarydiagnosisofthispatient,theabnormalfindingimpactsherwell-beingthesameway.Don’tletthefactthatquestionscontainintegratedcontentdistractyoufromwhatyoualreadyknow!Avoidingtest-takingmisstepsSometimes,aquestionpopsupthatlookslikeoneyou’veseenalready.Itmaybebecauseseveralquestionsaddresssimilarsymptoms,diseases,orproblemsandyetaddressdifferentaspectsofnursingcare.Also,anexperimental(unscored)itemmayhavecontentsimilartoanoperational(scored)item.Don’tassumethatasimilarquestionindicatesthatyouansweredthefirstoneincorrectly.Alwaysanswereachquestionasifitweretheonlyquestiononthetest;paynomindtopreviousquestions.Trynottogointotheexaminationwithanypreconceivednotionsaboutwhatyou’llseeonit.Youneedtousepropertest-takingtechniques(theonesyoupickupinthisbook)throughouttheentireexamination.Inmyexperience,mostnursingstudentsareabletoeasilyreducethenumberofpossibleansweroptionstotwo.Butcontrarytopopularbelief,youwillonlyfindonecorrectanswerforeachmultiple-choicequestionontheexamination.Youneedtouseeverythingthatyou’vetakenawayfromyournursingprogram—includingeffectivestudyandtest-takingtechniquesandapositivementalattitude—toconquerthemultiple-choiceexam.Chapter15hasinformationonotherpopularmisconceptionsabouttheNCLEX.FindingtherealquestionbehindthelongscenarioYougetsettledinyourseatandlogontothetest;everything’slookinggood,you'refeelinggood,andyougetthefollowingquestion:AparaplegicclientwithaT10injuryfromaskiingaccident,aswellasothertrauma-relatedproblems,isrecoveringfromtheinjuriesandgettingreadytotransferfromtheacutecareunittoarehabilitationunit.Whenanurseofferstoassistingettingreadyforthemove,theclientthrowsthesuitcaseonthefloorandsays,“Younursesaroundheredon’twanttohelpmewithanything.”Whichofthefollowingresponsesisthemostappropriateforthenursetogive?(1)“YouknowIwanttohelpyou;Ioffered.”Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 24 preview image(2)“I'llpickthesethingsupforyouandcomebacklater.”(3)“Youseemprettyangrytoday.Goingtorehabilitationmaybescaryforyou.”(4)“Whenyougettorehabilitation,theywon’tletyoubehavelikeaspoiledbrat.”Youreadthisquestion,andyou’rereadytogetoutofyourseatandleavethetestingfacilityimmediately.Butyoushouldn’tpanic.Althoughthisquestionhasmultiplesentencesandthispatientappearstohavemultipleissues,youcanapplyamethodologytofindingtherealquestionhiddenunderallthisdetail.(Throughoutthisbook,Iguideyouthroughdissectingthistypeofquestioninordertofindoutwhatyou'rereallybeingasked.)Yes,theclienthasmanythingsgoingon,butthekeyiswhattheclientissaying.Asyoutakethisquestionapart,youshouldalwaysfocusonthefeelingsthatareunderlyingaparticularaction.Thekeywordsforthisquestionareparaplegic,readyfortransfer,rehabunit,and“Younursesaroundheredon’twanttohelpmewithanything.”Choices(1)and(4)areconfrontationalandinappropriatecomingfromanurse.Althoughofferingtopickuptheclient’sbelongings,Choice(2),isanicethingtodo,itdoesn’taddressthesituation,anditrevealsthenurse’sassumptionthatthepatientcan’tpickthethingsup.SothecorrectanswerisChoice(3).ThetraumaandtheT10injuryhavenothingtodowiththecorrectanswerexcepttotellyouthepatientmayhaveaseriousbackinjury.AlthoughIcan’tguaranteethatyouwon’tseeaquestionlikethisonerightoffthebat,thequestionsshouldstartoutrathersimpleandgetincreasinglymoredifficultasyougothroughtheexam.Asyouproveyourabilitytoanswermore-difficultquestions,yougetincreasinglychallengingonesuntilthecomputerdecidesthatyouhaveaminimalcompetencyfornursinganddoesn’tpresentanymorequestions.Keepingyourcoolwhenansweringselect-all-that-applyquestionsSelect-all-that-applyquestionstendtothrowstudentsintoapanic.Really,they'rebasicallythesameasmultiple-choicequestions;thedifferenceisanynumberofthefactsyouknowaboutthesubjectmayappearinthelist.Youalreadyknowtheinformation;justmarkwhatyouknowandignoretherest.Makealistonyourwhiteboardanduseittoanswerthequestion.HeadtoChapter4toreadaboutselect-all-that-applyquestions.Here'sasimpleexample:Whichofthefollowingactionsorconditionsmaybeasecondarycauseoflungcancer?Selectallthatapply.(1)Genetics(2)Occupationalexposures(3)SmokingapipeStudy!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 25 preview image(4)SmokingcigarettesKeywordsareactionsorconditionsandsecondarycauseoflungcancer.ThecorrectanswersareChoices(1),(2),and(3).Asmanyas90percentofclientswithlungcancersmokecigarettesorhavesmokedtheminthepast,makingcigarettesmokingthenumberonecauseofthedisease.SoChoice(4)isn’tasecondarycause.Theotheranswersmayinfactcauselungcancer..WhenAllIsSaidandDoneYou'resittingatacomputertakinganexamwhenallofthesudden,thecomputergoesblank.(Andno,it’snotapowerfailure.)Whatdoyoudo?Staycalmanddon’tpanic.Thetestshutsoffautomaticallywithoutwarningwhenyou’veansweredenoughquestionstodetermineyourabilitytoprovidesafebasiccareforpatients.Ascreenappearsstatingthat“Yourtestisconcluded.”Yourethenrequiredtoanswerseveralexitquestions,whicharejustmultiple-choicequestionsaboutyourexaminationexperience.Theydon’tcounttowardyourresults.Afteryouleavethenot-so-horrificchamberoftestinghorrors,yougettositonpinsandneedlesfortwotosixweeksuntilthestateboardofnursingmailsyourresultstoyou.Everycomputerexamisscoredtwice—oncebythecomputertestingcenterandagainafterit’stransmittedtoPearsonprofessionalcenters.Ihighlyrecommendthatyouputyourbooksasidewhenyougethomefromtheexam,gooutsideandplay,andletyourmindroamfree(atleastoftheexam)forthenextfewweeks.There’snosenseworryingwhenyoucan’tlightafireunderthenursingboardanyway.Youcan’tbecomelicenseduntilyougettheofficialmailedresults.Butifyou’reafraidyou'llgocrazywaitingtofindoutwhetheryoupassed,youmaybeabletogetanearlylookatyourresultsunofficially.PearsonoffersaQuickResultsserviceinsomestatesthatgivesyouyourearlyresultsintwobusinessdays(foraminimalcost).Ifyourstatepostsnewlicenseesonitswebsite,youalsomaybeabletofindoutthere.Otherwise,youjusthavetowaitforthemailedresults.Hey,nurse?Yeah,you!Ifyoupassedtheexam,you’reofficiallyaregisterednurse—congratulations!Nowcomesthefunpart...youcangooutandgetarealjob.Becausethisbookisabouttakingtheexam,Idon’tgetintohowtogooutandgetthejob.(You'llhavetofindanotherbooktohelpyoudothat.)ButIwanttobethefirsttooffercongratulationsandwishyoualongandhappycareerasanRN.So,youfailed—it’snottheendoftheworldYoumaynotwanttoreadthisparticularsectionrightnow,butyouprobablyshouldsothatyouknowwhathappensifyoufailtheNCELX-RNexam.Whenyouhavetotellyourfamily,friends,supervisor,andco-workersthatyoudidn’tpassthelicensingexamination,youmayfeellikeyou'retheonlypersonwhoeverfailedthistestintheentireworld.Iassureyou,you'renotalone.Ifyouwere,Iwouldn’thaveanNCLEXtutoringbusiness.Ifyoufailtheexam,youreceiveadiagnosticprofilefromtheNCSBNthattellsyouhowmanyquestionsyouansweredontheexamination.(Themorequestionsyouanswered,thecloseryoucametomeetingthepassingstandard;seethesection“TheNCLEX-RN—NotYourAverageCATScan!”earlierinthischapterfordetailsonhowthecomputeradaptivetestmeasuresyourcompetency.)Thediagnosticprofilehelpsyouidentifyyourstrengths
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 26 preview imageandweaknesssothatyouknowwheretoconcentrateyourstudyhabitswhenyoupreparetotaketheexaminationagain.However,itdoesn’tgiveyouthequestionsyoumissedorbyhowmuchyoumissedthepassingmark.Manypeoplewhofailthefirsttimearedisheartenedenoughtoask,“ShouldItakethetestagain?”Absolutely!You'vecompletedyoureducationtobecomearegisterednurse,sodon’tthrowawayallthatworkandplanning.Thinkbacktothestagesofgrieving—that’sexactlywhatyou'regoingthrough.Afteryougetthroughthestagesofgrieving,you'rereadytogobackandtaketheexamagain.Afterall,youreallywanttobeanurse!Youcan’tretaketheexaminationfor45days.Soscheduleyournextattempt,andallowyourselfenoughtimetoprepareforit.Thenfigureoutwhyyoufailedthisround.Althoughitmayinvolvepainfulself-examination,youneedtoknowwhyyoufailedsothatyoucanestablishaplanforsuccessthenexttime.Youshouldpreparedifferentlythistimebecause,well,obviouslyyouroldplandidn’twork.Youneedtostartfreshwithanewplanofaction.Yougetonlysomanytriestopasstheexam—forexample,Indianaallowsthreefailedattemptsbeforeyou'rerequiredtopursueremediation.AremedycouldincludetakinganaccreditedNCLEX-RNprepprogramorrefreshercourse.Withawrittenletterofcompletionfromthatprogramanda95%passrateguaranteesenttotheboardofnursing,youshouldthenbeabletotaketheNCLEX-RNagain.Thegoodthingaboutretakingthetestisthatyou’vealreadyseenit—andthat’samajoradvantage!Youknowexactlywhattopreparefor.Thecomputer(clevermachinethatitis)rememberswhatquestionsyouweregivenbefore,soyouwon’treceiveanyofthesamequestions,butthecontentandstyleofthequestionsandthetypesofanswerchoicesdon’tchange.Soyoushouldn’thaveanysurprisesthesecondtime.(Note:Themachinejustknowswhichquestionsyouhadthelasttime.Itdoesnotspecificallygiveyouthecontentyoumissedpreviouslytomakeyoufailagain.)Second-timetesttakerssometimeshavetestanxietywhengoingbackthesecondtime.Remember,havingagoodstudyplanandknowingthecontentisawaytoworkaroundanxiety,butyoumayalsowanttocomeupwithananxietytestplan.Whatwillyoudoifyoubecomeanxiousandneedtorelax—makesureyou’rewearingacalmingscent?Practicedeep-breathingexercises?Somethingelse?There’snosubstituteformasteringnursingcontent.Gothroughyourreviewbooksagain,andbecomeexpertinreadingthequestionsandbeingabletoeffectivelyanswerwhat’sbeingasked.Practiceyourtest-takingstrategies,too.(Throughoutthisbook,Igiveyoustrategiestohelpyousucceedwhetherit’syourfirsttestornot.Chapter4isagoodplacetostart.)AsyougearupforyournextattemptattheNCLEX-RN,followthissimpleadvice.Itmayseemobvious,butitwillhelpyoubemorerelaxedwhenyoutaketheexamagain:Choosetotakethetestatthetimeofthedaywhenyou’remostalert.Chooseafamiliartestingsite.Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 27 preview imageAccepttheearplugsthatareofferedatthetestingsite.Takeyourbreaks.Ifyoubecomedistractedorfatiguedduringthetest,takeabreak.Planonspendingsixhoursfortesting;ifyougetoutearly,it’sapleasantsurprise.Alwayskeepapositiveattitude;saytoyourself,“IwillpasstheNCLEX-RN.”
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 28 preview imageChapter2-.PreparingforT-Day:PaperworkINTHISCHAPTEREvaluatingwhentotakethetestCompletingandsubmittingapplicationsMakingyourtestingappointmentCoveringallyourbasesontestdayReschedulingyourNCLEX-RNEELLLEEETETPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPAsiftakingtheNCLEX-RNdoesn’tgiveyouenoughthingstoworryover,youalsohavetothinkaboutthelogisticsoftheexam—thepaperworkrequiredjusttobeallowedtotakethetest,thefeesyouhavetoforkover(eventhoughitmayseemfairertohavesomeonepayyoutotakethetest),andthepotentialforsuddenchangestoyourtest-takingplans(likewhathappensifyoubreakoutinchickenpoxthemorningoftheexam).Oneimportantpointtonotebeforeyouapplyfortheexamisthatyoumusthavegraduatedwithanursingdegreeinordertotakeit(suchasanASNorBSN).Ifyoustillhaveonemorecoursetotake,youmustcompleteitbeforeyoucanfileforyourapplication;otherwise,yourapplicationwillberejected.Theboardofnursingdoesn’tcarethatyou'reonlytwobasketweavingcreditsshortofgraduation;nodiploma,noboards.Ifyouhavetransfercreditsfromanotherschool,makesurethatthey’veallbeenacceptedandappliedtoyouracademicrecord.Infact,it’sagoodideatositdownwithyouradvisoronelasttimebeforeyourlastsemestertomakesurethateverythingreallyisinorderforgraduation.Inthischapter,Iwalkyouthroughtheapplicationprocess,tellyouhowtofindaschedulingcenter,andexplainwhatyouneedtoknowtogettothatscheduledexam.oHowLongShouldIWaitafter1.geGraduate?DecidingWhentoTestHowsoonaftergraduationyoutaketheexamisuptoyou,withsomecaveats.Someeager-beavertypeswanttotakethetest14minutesaftergraduation,whileothersarestilldraggingtheirfeet14monthsfromgraduation.Eachstatehasitsownrules—ofcourse!—abouthowlongaftergraduationyouneedtowaitbeforetakingthetest,butmoststatesrequireyoutowait45days.RefertoAppendixAforspecifictestinginformationaboutyourstate.Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 29 preview image1suggestthatyoutaketheexamassoonasyougraduateifpossiblebecauseallthatinformationyoucrammedintoyourbrainisstillfresh.Manystudentswaitmonthsbeforetakingtheexambecausetheyfeelthattheyaren’tprepared.Butthelongeryouprocrastinate,themoreyouhavetostudy,andthelesschanceyouhaveofpassingonyourfirsttry.Mostnursingschoolsprovidereviewcourses,soifyou'rearecentgraduate,you'veprobablyhonedyourtest-takingskillsinthelastfewyears,andyourtest-takingabilityisatitspeak.AndthesooneryoupasstheNCLEX-RN,thesooneryoucanstartwork,starthelpingpeople,andbuyyourselfthatnewfancycar—orpayoffyourstudentloans!Thatbeingsaid,ifyouaren’tgettingthescorestheNCLEXprepcourseyou'retakingsuggests,plantotakemoretime.Noschool,familymember,orfacultymembercantellwhenyou'rereadyjustbecauseeveryoneelseistakingit.Everyoneelseisn’tyou.Don’tevenletapotentialnewjobtellyouwhentotakethetest.Ofcourse,ifyou'vedelayedgettingtranscripts,sendinginyourfees,andpayingyourcampusparkingtickets,youmayfindyourselftakingyourtestlaterratherthansooner.YoumusttaketheexamwhileyourAuthorizationtoTest(ATT)isvalid,sotheclockstartstickingafteryougetyourATT.(FormoreontheATT,see“SchedulingtheTimeandPlace”laterinthischapter.)Checkyourcalendarforweddings,births(presumablyyou'llknowwhetheryouoryourpartnerwillbegivingbirthanytimesoon;you’realmostanurse,forheaven’ssake!),vacations,movingplans,andotherpersonaleventsandfactorsthatmaydelayyourtakingtheexamafteryouhaveyourATTinhand.Plantotaketheexambeforeyougettooinvolvedinanewjobasagraduatenurse.Jobrequirementsusuallytakeupasignificantamountofyourtime,especiallywhenyou'reanewemployee.Acceptingapositionbutnotstartingthejobuntilyouactuallytaketheexammaybeinyourbestinterest.Inthisperiodofacutenursingshortages,healthcareagencieswantpeopletostartworkingrightaway,butyourbestbetmaybetotakethetimetostudyfortheexamfirst.Getitoverwith,andthenstartthejobwithaclearfocusonbeginningyournewcareer.Eachstatedeterminestherequirementsforgraduatenursespendinglicensure.Ifyou’reworkingasanewgraduatenurse,youmustbeawareofthestaterulesgoverningyourpractice.Checkwithyourlocalstateboardforrequirementsfornewgraduatesandtofindoutwhetheryoucangetatemporarypermitinthestateinwhichyouchoosetowork.
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 30 preview imageoApplyingtoTaketheNCLEX-RNApplyingtotaketheNCLEX-RNmaybeeasyorhard,dependingonthesizeofyournursingschoolandhowmuchhelpitcanofferyouinfillingoutyourpaperwork.Atsomeschools,youmayjustbehandedthepaperworkinyourlastsemesterandtoldtotakecareofit;inothers,thewholeclassmaygooverthepaperworktogether.(Sendyournursinginstructorsflowersifthat’sthekindofprogramyou’rein.)InordertotaketheNCLEX-RN,youneedtoapplytotwoplaces:yourstateboardofnursingforlicensureandPearsonVUE,thecompanythatcontractswithnursingboardstoadministerthetest.CompletingtheapplicationprocessEverystatehasitsownapplicationandwaytoapply.Dependingonthestate,youmaybeabletoapplyonlineonly,onpaperonly,orthrougheithermethod.Knowyourstate(seeAppendixAforinformationoneachstate).Here’showtheapplicationprocessworks.1.Applytoyournursingboardeitheronlineoronpaper.Everystatechargesafeewiththisapplication.2.Meettherequirementsofyourboardofnursing(BON)orNursingRegulatoryBoard(NRB),asitappearsonsomestatewebsites.Somestatesrequireaschooltranscriptasproofyou'vecompletedtheprogram;fliptothelatersection“Tyingupacademiclooseends”formoreonthatprocess.Youalsoneedtogetyourcriminalhistorydoneandyourfingerprintstakentobeeligibletotakethetest.Statesdifferinhowtheytakecareofthisprocess.3.RegisterwithPearsonVUE.PearsonVUEsendsyouyourATT.Thenyoucanscheduleyourtesteitheronlineorbyphone(checkout“SchedulingtheTimeandPlace”laterinthischapterformoreontheschedulingprocess).YoucancompleteyourapplicationtoPearsonVUEoverthephonebydialing1-866-49-NCLEX.Haveacreditcardhandy(Visa,MasterCard,orAmericanExpress)topayyourfeesimmediately.Ifyou’drathernottalktoaliveperson,youcanregisteronline.GetyourcreditcardoutandgototheNCLEX-RNcandidatewebsiteatwww.vue.com/nclex.IfyouneedtocontactPearsonbymail,thegeneraladdressandemailaddressareNCLEX-RNExaminationProgramPearsonProfessionalTesting5601GreenValleyDriveBloomington,MN55437-1099Study!
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NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests (2020) - Page 31 preview imageEmail:vuepearsonprofessionaltesting@vue.comPayingyourduesThere’snosuchthingasafreelunch...orafreenursinglicense!Thecostofalicensevariesfromstatetostate,buttheexaminationfeefortheNCLEX-RNis$200.(Yep,youreadthatcorrectly—youhavetopayalicensefeeandatestfee.)AppendixAliststhefeesforeachstate.Youknowthatyourmoneyhasbeenreceivedandyourcreditcardsacceptedwhenyoureceiveacardfromyourstateboardofnursingstatingthatallyourinformationhasbeenreceivedandyou'rereadytogo.Ifyoudon’thearfromthestateboardinareasonableamountoftime(andthreehoursisn’tareasonableamountoftime),calltomakesurethatyourapplicationwasreceived.Hittingabump:PotentialproblemswiththelicensureapplicationProblemsareinevitable.Lifeisfullofthem.Sodon’tbesurprisedtoexperienceaglitchortwowhenyou'retryingtogetyourpaperworkallfilledin,sent,andprocessed.Manyproblemsarisewhenpeople(thismaymeanyou)don’treadtheinstructions—alltheinstructions.Inyourrushtocompleteapplicationpaperworkandgetitoutofyourhouseandoutofyoursight,don’toverlooksomemajorrequirement;correctingtheerrorcanholdyouupevenmore.TyingupacademiclooseendsSomestatesrequirethatyourpermanenttranscriptbemailedwithyourapplication.Youcangetanofficialsealedstudentcopyofyourtranscriptfromyourschool’sregistrar,butyoucan’talwaysgetitthesamedayyourequestit,soputintherequestbeforeyouactuallyneedthetranscript.(Iemphasizethepointofanofficialsealedstudentcopybecausealicensingagencymaynotacceptanopenedunofficialtranscript.Youcan’tjustcopyyourgradesforthelastthreeyearsofclassesandsendthemin.)Ifyourschoolhasclosedsinceyou'veleftandyoustillneedatranscript,findoutwhotheschooltransferredtheresponsibilityofdealingwithitstranscriptsforpastgraduatestoandcontactthatorganization.AllstateshaveaStateBoardofEducation;ifneeded,youcancontactitifyouneedassistanceingettingyourtranscript.Youcanalsoavoidproblemswithyourapplicationbymakingsurethatyou'vemetalltherequirementsforgraduation.Somestudentstrulydogetallthewaytotheendoftheirsenioryearsandstartplanninggraduationpartiesandinvitingfriendsandfamilytothebigeventjusttofindoutthatthey’vebeenill-advisedandstillneedtotakethoseinfamouselectivesorthatonemathcoursethattheyputofffortwoorthreeyears.Ifyouthinkthismisstepdoesn’thappentootherwiseintelligentpeople,thinkagain!Haveyoubeendelinquentduringyourcollegeyears?Ifso,payup!Ifyouoweanylibraryfinesorhaveanyunpaidparkingtickets,yourschoolcandelaythereleaseofyour
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