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Tips on How to Pass NCLEX

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Make a Plan and Get Ready

All of the information you require as a new nurse was taught throughout your schooling and clinical rotations. It’s time to put your knowledge to use and arrange it according to the exam’s categories. The NCLEX is designed and run by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Download a copy of your NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN test plan immediately if you haven’t already. The test plan includes sample questions, information on each area and subcategory, and an outline of the exam. For your RN or PN licence, you may discover information on the most recent NCLEX in the Test Plan, which is updated every two years.

Discover Some Useful Advice for NCLEX

The purpose of NCLEX is not to deceive. There aren’t any “trick” enquiries. Nonetheless, the purpose of the exam items is to assess your subject-matter expertise and your capacity to apply knowledge in a way that will enable you to deliver safe client care. To assess your ability to analyse the scenario, some of the possible answers will look extremely near to the right one. There are a few helpful tips that can improve your odds of selecting the BEST response if you are unclear about which to choose. It is up to you to prepare, so we can’t guarantee that following our advice will get you through the exam. However, if you are really stuck, some broad ideas might help.

  • The NCLEX was created in an idealised world! 
  • The test questions are drawn from textbook content. 
  • Don’t base your response on experiences you or others have had. 
  • Avoid giving in to the thought, “What if…?” 
  • Presume you have enough time to sit down and focus entirely on the client.
  1. Recall the Fundamentals!
  • ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Circulation

Maslow’s hierarchy of requirements includes breathing, circulation, and the airway (ABC), which are physiological elements necessary for the body to survive and support an individual’s degree of health. By following ABCs, life-threatening situations can be quickly assessed for priority. 

A stands for airway assessment, which involves checking for airway obstruction, which can be detected by stridor, a changing voice sound, and “see-saw” respirations. B stands for breathing assessment and includes checking for cyanosis, using accessory muscles for breathing, and an irregular respiratory rate. C stands for circulation, looking for changes in the colour of the hands and fingers, an unusual capillary refill time, and a drop in consciousness (LOC). 

  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Prior to meeting higher wants, an individual must first satiate their survival needs, according to Maslow. Because of the environmental and interpersonal impediments that unavoidably irritate us, meeting the requirements linked with a higher level of the hierarchy is more challenging.

Increasingly, higher requirements are psychological and long-term in nature as opposed to physiological and immediate, as are lower needs related to survival.

  1. Recognise the Warning Signs! 
  • Steer clear of rigid, unequivocal decisions like “never” and “always.” 
  • When given the choice between treating a problem and ignoring it, go with treatment (or alert the HCP). 
  • Never attempt to understand or read too much into a question. Utilise just the provided information.
  1. The Safety of the Patient Always Comes First! 
  • Select the choice that, if chosen, will cause injury to the patient or result in death if the question contains words or phrases like PRIORITY, MOST IMPORTANT, or IMMEDIATE ACTION. 
  • Choose the least intrusive choice while considering potential therapies. 
  • Select the course of action that includes “stay with the patient” if you are unsure of what to do.
  1. Let’s talk about the “Don’ts!”
  • Asking “Why?” queries are NOT the way to get an answer. 
  • Never tell a client to “don’t worry!” if they appear terrified or anxious. 
  • Asking “Yes” or “No” questions is NOT advised unless you might hurt yourself. 
  • Never attempt to convince the client.
  1. Let’s talk about the “Do’s!”
  • Do react to the emotions conveyed through the words. 
  • Do give the client space to speak by allowing silence. 
  • Pay attention to the nonverbal cues of your clients. 
  • Do give the client information.

Adopt a Nursing Mindset

  1. Which Client Should You Assess First? 

NCLEX will have questions on prioritising. Expect to see test items with a list of clients, ending with “Which client will you see or assess FIRST?” Always consider: 

  • ABCs 
  • Unstable vs Stable: Stable clients are less dangerous than unstable clients, and they should be attended to first.
  • Urgent vs Nonurgent: A client is more at risk from urgent needs than from non urgent ones.
  • Actual vs Potential: Something that has happened or is happening is considered actual. Potential can also mean that your patient is at risk for something.
  • Acute vs Chronic: Because acute disorders have a high risk, it’s critical to address them before chronic issues arise.
  1. What are the Five Rights of Delegation? 

RIGHT TASK

  •  Assign just those jobs that comply with your facility’s policies and are lawful.

RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE

  • Before assigning the work, determine the patient’s needs to make sure all the tools and supervision are ready.
  • The health of the patient needs to be stable.
  • Any changes in the delegatee’s condition must be reported to the licenced nurse, who will then determine if the delegation is still suitable

RIGHT PERSON

  • Make sure the person receiving the delegation has the necessary abilities and expertise to carry out the task; choose who is most qualified to finish it.

RIGHT SUPERVISION

  • Make sure all assigned duties have proper supervision, and be prepared to step in as necessary.
  • After the assigned task is finished, finish the documentation, monitor the activity, and assess the patient’s results.
  • The licenced nurse must get patient information from the delegatee.
  • After work is finished, give feedback and offer assistance.

RIGHT COMMUNICATION

  • Give the delegatee explicit instructions on the nature of the assignment, the deadline for completion, the documentation required, the patient’s limits, and the expected results. You should also permit the delegatee to ask clarifying questions.
  • The delegatee must consent to accept the assigned duty and refrain from altering it without first contacting a licenced nurse

Discover the Typical Symptoms and Signs 

  1. Autoimmune Diseases
  • Diabetes, Type 1

Three Ps: 

Polyuria

Urine production that is more than 3 litres per day for adults and 2 litres per day for children is known as polyuria, which is basically an overabundance of urination.

There are three main causes of this excessive and frequent urination: problems associated with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or psychological issues. 

Polydipsia

Extreme water and fluid consumption, also known as “diabetes increased urination,” is known as polydipsia. It is nearly always accompanied by extreme thirst and dry mouth that don’t seem to go away no matter how much water or fluid you consume.

Actually, there are two kinds of polydipsia: dipsogenic polydipsia, which is caused by endocrine abnormalities, and psychogenic polydipsia, which is caused by psychiatric disorders.

Polyphagia 

Polyphagia, literally translated as “overeating,” usually refers to an overwhelming or excessive appetite.

One of the earliest indicators of diabetes is polyphagia, which, unlike normal hunger, does not go away even when you eat a normal or even excessive quantity.

Similar to the other Ps of diabetes, polyphagia might also have other psychological and physical causes.

  • Guillain-Barré

A portion of the peripheral nervous system is attacked by the immune system of the body. The nerves that convey pain, temperature, and touch sensations can all be impacted by the disease, in addition to the ones that govern muscular action. Muscle weakness, numbness in the arms and/or legs, and difficulties breathing or swallowing might arise from this.

People of all ages can be affected by this uncommon ailment, however adults and men are more likely to have it.

  • Guillain-Barré Multiple Sclerosis

A long-lasting (chronic) condition affecting the central nervous system is multiple sclerosis (MS). It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, a condition when the body unintentionally targets itself. MS is a condition that strikes everyone differently and is unpredictable. Some MS patients may only have minor symptoms. When there is a breakdown in the communication between the brain and other body components, some people may lose their ability to walk, write, talk, or see well.

  1. Cardiac and Circulatory Conditions
  • Angina

Decreased blood supply to the cardiac muscles causing chest discomfort. Although it’s usually not fatal, it is a warning indication that you may be at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

When a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the body’s deep veins, commonly in the legs, it is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Leg pain or swelling may be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis. There may not always be any obvious signs.

  • Kawasaki Syndrome

A sudden onset heart problem is called Kawasaki disease. The illness leads to inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels as a result of the immune system attacking them. Usually, the coronary arteries—which supply blood to the heart muscle—are impacted by Kawasaki disease. 

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome and Kawasaki syndrome are other names for Kawasaki illness.

Passing NCLEX

There are numerous pointers, strategies, and advice for passing the NCLEX. Everybody learns differently and uses different retention techniques. Our list is meant to serve as a starting point for organising your preparation; it is by no means exhaustive. Know more about how to make sure that you’ll pass NCLEX, AuRNPathway will help you all the way. 

Reference:

Tips, tricks, and hints for your NCLEX n.d.

5 right of delegation n.d.  

The 3 P’s Of Diabetes (Polydipsia, Polyuria, Polyphagia)

Guillain–Barré syndrome n.d.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) n.d.

Angina n.d.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) n.d.

Kawasaki Disease n.d.

All the best, future Registered Nurse in Australia!

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Kristine Dawang

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