| 1. |
Spend about half of your time analyzing the question
before you move on to the answer choices. Cover
the answer choices so you can concentrate on the
question.
|
| 2. |
Read the question carefully and word-for-word.
Look for “danger” words (first, initially,
highest priority, most essential, most important,
immediately, etc.) These words test if you are a
safe and effective nurse. These words indicate that
many of the answer choices may be clinically correct,
but not most important, highest priority, etc. The
answer choice that is correct if these danger words
are used usually concerns ABC (airway, breathing,
circulation), life-threatening conditions, the first
step in the nursing process – assessment,
or Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
|
| 3. |
Look for “key” words that may change
the meaning of the question.
|
| 4. |
Skim for the important pieces of information:
age, gender, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.
|
| 5. |
If the question concerns an infant or child, take
into consideration the infant’s or child’s
growth and development needs, both physical and
psychosocial.
|
| 6. |
Note the location of the client as described in
the situation. Frequently the correct answer choice
is determined by the location of the client (in
the recovery room or back in his patient room).
|
| 7. |
Focus your mind on what you know about the nursing
content described.
|
| 8. |
Reword the question in your own
words. Use “question” words such as
who, what, which, where, when, how.
|
| 9. |
Uncover and scan the answer choices. See if there
is a pattern to the answer choices.
|
| 10. |
Use the process of elimination.
|
| 11. |
If you still have two answer choices you are considering,
go back and reread the question.
|
| 12. |
Before you lock in an answer choice, ask yourself,
“Does this choice answer the question? Does
this choice make sense?” |
