San Joaquin Delta College

1. San Joaquin Delta College Find Success on Nursing School Exams!!

2. So…What are We Talking About Today? • Answering all types of test questions…even alternate item • So I took the ATI test….now what? • NCLEX preparation…HELP!

3. Nursing School is Like Drinking Through a Fire Hose

4. Types of Test Questions A. B. C. D. Multiple Choice

5. How to Answer a Multiple Choice Test Question • The first step in analyzing a test question is to separate what the question tells you from what it is asking. • Each test question consists of 3 parts: • Introductory statement • Stem • 4 options from which you must select the answer.

6. How to Answer a Multiple Choice Test Question • Introductory statement • Gives you information about • A clinical problem • Present data • May state a nursing topic • Always includes a specific question that you must answer using your nursing knowledge • Stem

7. How to Answer a Multiple Choice Test Question • The stem asks you • to solve a specific problem • select one of the 4 options as the answer. A client is receiving care at the clinic. Her doctor has prescribed an iron supplement and an increased intake of Vitamin C in her diet. The nurse understands that the best rationale for increasing Vitamin C in the client’s diet is to :

8. Critical Elements • The key words • Early or late • Immediately • Post operatively • Least likely • The client • What the question is about • The issue • Specific problem • Always about the client • The type of stem • True response • False response • Learning to identify the critical elements in a test question is crucial to interpreting the question correctly. • The 4 critical elements in each test question are:

9. Positive Response Stem

10. Negative Response Stem

11. Example • An elderly client was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. He is receiving oxygen at 6 liters per mask. In obtaining vital signs, which nursing action is inappropriate? • Taking an axillary temperature. • Listening to his lungs when counting respirations. • Listening to an apical heart rate. • Taking an oral temperature

12. Distracters • Most multiple choice questions have 4 options • Of these, 3 are distracters, and 1 is the correct answer. • Distracters are designed to resemble the correct answer

13. Example • A client returns with a foley catheter after surgery. In providing catheter care, which is the best nursing approach? • Preventing infection and maintaining a patent catheter and drainage system. • Keeping the collection bag above the level of the bladder. • Using soap and water to clean the perineal area. • Maintaining a closed system without any kinks in the tubing

14. Example • A client who has right sided weakness needs to be transferred from his bed to a wheelchair. In transferring the client, the nurse must remember to: • Keep the client at arm’s length while transferring him. • Bend at the waist to get down to his level. • Maintain a straight back and bend at the knees. • Try to transfer the client alone, before determining that help is needed.

15. Charts and Tables

16. Charts and Tables • Based on a review of the client’s chart, the nurse speaks to the client’s health care provider about holding the morning dose of: • Furosemide (Lasix) • Potassium (K-Dur) • Clindamycin (Cleocin) • Heparin

17. Charts and Tables

18. Charts and Tables • Based on a review of the client’s chart, the nurse speaks to the client’s health care provider about holding the morning dose of: • Furosemide (Lasix) • Potassium (K-Dur) • Clindamycin (Cleocin) • Heparin

19. Charts and Tables • Based on a review of the client’s chart, the nurse speaks to the client’s health care provider about holding the morning dose of: • Furosemide (Lasix) (Loop diuretic) • Potassium (K-Dur) (Low) • Clindamycin (Cleocin) (not addressed on charts) • Heparin (not addressed on charts)

20. Hot Spot

21. Hot Spot

22. Hot Spot

23. Fill in the Blank

24. Fill in the Blank

25. Fill in the Blank

26. Fill in the Blank 4 oz 3 oz 1 oz 240 ml

27. Fill in the Blank • Use good math skills • Write out the equation • Show all of your work • Bring up drop down calculator • Double check your work • No need to enter units

28. Drop and Drag

29. Drop and Drag

30. Drop and Drag

31. Multiple Response

32. Multiple Response True

33. Multiple Response • Consider each response choice separately, as you would in a true-false question. • Look for mutually exclusive responses which could not both be true. • No partial credit is given • When in doubt, go with what you know

34. Alternate Item Strategies

35. I’m Getting Ready to Take the ATI Test

37. Computer will score first response

38. Equally as important for the student to understand why the response is INCORRECT!!

40. This is Kathy’s customized remediation guide… She should follow this outline to address her deficits!!!

42. Review Modules—NOT textbooks • Fundamentals • Medical/Surgical • Maternal/Newborn • Nursing Care of Children • Mental Health • Pharmacology • Community Health • Nutrition • Nursing Leadership Streamline Faculty Workload!

43. Chapter Content Guided byNCLEX® Blueprint

44. At least two learning formats, including NCLEX® format items