1. Test Taking Strategies for the NCLEX PN and RN
Helen Taylor, R.N., J.D.
Professional Medical Careers Institute
www.pmcicareers.com

2.  Read
the question carefully to
determine the key concept.
 Key concepts include determining
who the client is, what the
problem is, what is being asked
about the problem and what the
time frame is.

3. 
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Read, re-read and Re-phrase the question – know
what the question is asking you to do.
Evaluate each answer (consider each)
Visualize yourself saying or doing something
Identify KEY words in the question and answer
Eliminate wrong answers (start eliminating)
Weigh each answer – does it relate to the question?

4. 
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Look for words that focus on the issue.
Look for: Early or Late symptoms; most or
least likely to occur.
These words are easy to miss unless you
practice LOOKING for them
Look for INITIAL nursing action. This means
the first thing you will do as a nurse.
Think of the FIRST STEP in the Nursing
Process – assessment – you will ASSESS first
before intervening.

5. 
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When the question asks what is ESSENTIAL –
THINK SAFETY and Prevention of Serious
Complications
Essential means that you must do it and IT
CANNOT BE LEFT UNDONE!
When setting priorities remember MASLOW’s
HIERACHY of needs. The first level needs come
first
REMEMBER – “Keep them breathing, keep them
safe.”
Also consider which actions will prevent
complications – these are essential things that
you must do to keep the patient safe and alive.

6. 
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The option that is most different in length,
style or content is usually correct.
The correct answer is often the longest or the
shortest.
If two or three answers say the same, think in
different words – they can’t all be correct
(poor appetite and anorexia are examples)

7. 
When two answers are opposites, such as
hypotension and hypertension – the answer is
usually one of the two.
An adult is admitted in shock. Which assessment finding
would you expect to find?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Elevate blood pressure
Low blood pressure
Slow Pulse
Flushed color.
Choices 1 and 2 are opposites. The answer will
most likely be one of those. The answer is 2.

8. Absolutes tend to make answers
WRONG
 Look for: ALWAYS, NEVER, ALL and
NONE
These are usually incorrect statements.
QUALIFIED ANSWERS such as: USUALLY,
FREQUENTLY, and OFTEN are usually
CORRECT.


9.  ALWAYS
read the question and all
of the answers CAREFULLY before
selecting the correct response.
 If
the answer does not appear
obvious – ELIMINATE answers that
CANNOT be correct.

10.  Remember
the ANSWER MUST
RELATE TO THE QUESTION!
 If you do not know – Make an
educated guess and then MOVE
ON to the next question.
Work Cited: Judith Miller. Delmar’s NCLEX PN review second
edition.2011

11. 
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Don’t READ INTO the question
Focus only on the information in the question
Read every word and decide what the
question is asking.
Look for strategic words
Always use the process of elimination
Determine if the question is a positive or
negative event query.

12. 
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Early or Late
Best
First
Initial
Immediately
Most Likely or least likely
Most appropriate or least appropriate

13. 
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A positive event query uses strategic words
that ask you to select an option that is
CORRECT.
A negative event query uses strategic words
that ask you to select an option that is
INCORRECT.
A common one: “Which statement indicates a
client’s need for further teaching”

14. REMEMBER: MANS
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Maslow – basic needs take priority over higher
needs (air, water, food, safety)
ABC;s (Keep them breathing – look for things that
could affect airway, breathing or circulation – these
take priority)
Nursing Process – remember ADPIE – always ASSESS
before you intervene. Also it’s usually something
that requires a license to do (like check the NG tube
for placement or assess fetal heart tones) Those
things that assistive personnel can do are usually
not the thing that the NURSE must do.
Think SAFETY – what will keep the patient/nurse
SAFE

15.  These
require you to use the skill
of prioritization of nursing
action
 When it is a priority question –
usually all options may be
correct.
 Use the ABC’s, Maslow and the
Nursing Process Steps to
determine your answer.

16. 
Safe Effective Care Environment (15%
of test)
◦ These questions test the concepts that the
nurse provides nursing care, collaborates
with others and protects clients and
others from hazards.
◦ FOCUS on Safety. Remember the
importance of hand-washing, call lights,
bed positions and the use of side rails.

17. 
These questions test the concepts that the
nurse provides COMFORT and ASSISTANCE
with the ADL’s, and care related to the
administration of medication.
◦ REDUCING potential for complications
related to treatments, procedures or
existing conditions
◦ Remember MASLOW – the PHYSIOLOGICAL
NEEDS take priority and are addressed
first.

18. 
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These test the concepts that the nurse
provides nursing care that promotes and
supports the emotional, mental and social
well-being of the client and family.
Content in these questions relates to
promoting the ability to cope, adapt or
problem solve in situations such as
illnesses, disabilities or stressful events
such as abuse, neglect or violence.

19. Tests the concepts that the nurse
provides to assist in directing nursing
care to promote and maintain health
 Relates to assisting the client during the
normal expected stages of growth and
development from conception through
old-age.
 Providing care related to the prevention
and early detection of health problems
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20. 
Close ended words include:
◦ All
◦ Must
◦ Only
Always
None
Every
Never
Eliminate these options because these words infer a
FIXED or EXTREME meaning. These types of options
are usually incorrect

21. 
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Always look for the UMBRELLA option
The umbrella option is one that is a BROAD or
UNIVERSAL statement and usually contains
the concepts of the others options with it.
The UMBRELLA option will often be the
CORRECT Answer

22. 
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A client is admitted and is diagnosed with urethritis
caused by chlamydial infection. The nurse assigned
to the client understands that what precautions are
necessary to prevent contraction of the infection
during care?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Enteric Precautions
Contact Precautions
Standard Precautions
Wearing gloves and a mask
Recall the this infection is sexually transmitted. Also note that 3
is the umbrella option. It is correct.

23. 
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Always think about the job description or
role of the employee
Think about the needs of the client
Remember to match the client needs with
the scope of practice of the health care
provider. KEY
Someone needing tube feedings and
dressing changes would need a licensed
nurse

24. 
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If you are familiar with it use your nursing
knowledge
The question will ID both the generic and
trade names of the medication
If the question identifies a medical diagnosis
try to make a relationship between the
medication and the diagnosis
Try to determine the CLASSIFICATION of the
medication to determine it’s action or side
effects

25. 
Use medical terminology to assist in determining
the action of the medication
◦ Lopressor- Lowers (lo) the blood pressure
(pressor)
Medications of a class will have similar actions,
side effects and nursing precautions.
Often side effects will depend on the action of the
drug.