Nursing Test-Taking and Exam Preparation Strategies (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and strategies from the nursing test-taking and exam prep video notes.

NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination)

Nationwide nursing licensure exam taken after graduation to obtain licensure; updated test plan as of March 2023; emphasizes clinical judgment and uses generic drug names.

NCSBN Test Plan

Official NCLEX plan published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing; describes question styles, clinical judgment focus, and the use of generic medication names.

Clinical Judgment Model

Framework for interpreting cues, generating hypotheses, prioritizing care, and guiding decisions on NCLEX-style questions.

Strategic Words

Keywords that signal priority or sequence in questions (e.g., Essential, Immediate, First, Next, Most likely, Most appropriate, Highest priority, Need to follow-up).

ABC Prioritization

Prioritization framework: Airway, Breathing, then Circulation when addressing physiologic problems.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological needs come before safety and psychosocial needs; used to determine care priorities.

Nursing Process

Systematic method: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation; initial actions often involve assessment unless there is an urgent need.

Initial Action in Nursing Questions

If not urgent, look for options that include assessment or data collection before acting.

Active Learning Strategies

Engage with material actively (note-taking, concept maps, teaching the content to yourself) to improve understanding.

Note-Taking and Reading

Take notes while reading to promote active learning and retention.

Repetition for Retention

Repeating study content enhances memory and critical thinking.

Cramming is Ineffective

Last-minute studying generally does not yield durable understanding.

EAQ in Sherpath

Electronic Adaptive Question Bank used to create personalized practice quizzes for NCLEX prep.

Practice Questions (End-of-Chapter)

Use end-of-chapter items to test understanding and apply concepts.

Quizlets – Caution

Flashcard sets vary in accuracy; always verify content before relying on it.

Study Groups

Collaborative learning with peers to discuss and reinforce material.

Teaching Plans as a Learning Tool

Creating and explaining content to someone (even a fictional person) reinforces understanding.

Concept Maps

Visual diagrams linking concepts to show relationships and improve comprehension.

Active Textbook Reading

Critically read; don’t just memorize; ask why and relate to the nursing process and care plans.

Negative Question Strategy

Identify false options; reread the stem; focus on cues like negation or exceptions.

Therapeutic Communication

Focus on the patient; acknowledge feelings and concerns; avoid giving unsolicited reassurance or advice.

Select All That Apply (SATA)

Multiple correct options format; can be stressful; evaluate each option independently.

Hotspot Question

Identify an exact area on an image/diagram where a ventilation or assessment action should be placed.

Enhanced Hot Spot

Scenario-based cue recognition; select the most relevant information or cue in the scenario.

Drag and Drop / Ordered Response

NCLEX format requiring items to be arranged in a correct sequence or order.

Cloze Question

Fill-in-the-blank format using a word bank to complete a sentence; emphasizes cue recognition and hypothesis generation.

Matrix Thinking

Categorize actions/assessments as Anticipated, Contraindicated, or Non-Essential (or evaluate results as Effective, Ineffective, Unrelated).

Test-Taking Do’s During the Exam

Read all directions and every word in stems/responses; don’t skim; trust your gut; don’t change answers unless you misread; breathe regularly.

Test Anxiety Management

Strategies to reduce anxiety: positive self-talk, adequate sleep, healthy breakfast, and thorough preparation.