Preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam involves not only understanding the content but also mastering the test-taking strategies.
“Every challenging shift, every patient interaction, every ounce of dedication brings me closer to my dream of passing the NCLEX-RN exam. I’m unstoppable.”
“Each study session is a step closer to realizing my dream of becoming an RN. I’m determined, focused, and unstoppable.”
Here are ten common NCLEX-RN exam mistakes to avoid, along with examples of questions to illustrate each point:
Inadequate Preparation
- Inadequate preparation leads to failure on the Next Gen NCLEX-RN exam by leaving knowledge gaps, hindering critical thinking, and causing difficulty with complex scenarios, resulting in incorrect answers and lower scores.
- Mistake: Skipping comprehensive review of all content areas.
- Example Question: “A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed erythropoietin. What is the primary purpose of this medication?”
- Avoidance: Thoroughly study pharmacology, including the purpose and side effects of common medications.
- Don’t forget to review these few following drugs for NCLEX-RN exam prep:
- Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Warfarin, Heparin
- Insulin, Metformin
- Lisinopril
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Albuterol
- Ibuprofen
- Morphine
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Digoxin
- Metoprolol
- Omeprazole (Prilosec)
- Vancomycin
- Amoxicillin, Penicillin
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
- Prednisone
- Zolpidem (Ambien)
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Skipping Practice Questions:
- Mistake: Not practicing enough NCLEX-style questions.
- Example Question: “Which intervention is most important when caring for a patient with increased intracranial pressure?”
- A) Monitor urine output
- B) Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
- C) Administer high-protein diet
- D) Encourage deep breathing exercises
- Avoidance: Regularly practice with NCLEX-format questions to get accustomed to the question style and logic.
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Ignoring Test-Taking Strategies:
- Mistake: Not utilizing test-taking strategies to eliminate wrong answers.
- Example Question: “The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery who has signed an informed consent. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?”
- A) “I will be asleep during the entire surgery.”
- B) “I can eat breakfast the morning of the surgery.”
- C) “I will have someone drive me home after surgery.”
- D) “I will not take my blood pressure medication before surgery.”
- Avoidance: Apply strategies like eliminating obviously incorrect answers and focusing on patient safety.
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Not Reviewing Rationales is one of the mistakes you need to avoid:
- Mistake: Skipping the review of explanations for practice questions.
- Example Question: “A patient is on a heparin drip. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor?”
- A) PT
- B) INR
- C) PTT
- D) Hemoglobin
- Avoidance: Always review the rationales to understand why an answer is correct or incorrect, which reinforces learning.
Neglecting Self-Care may be the one factors which you need to focus on:
- Mistake: Overstudying without taking breaks or caring for mental health.
- Example Question: “Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates appropriate self-care?”
- A) Studying for 12 hours straight
- B) Taking regular breaks and exercising
- C) Skipping meals to study more
- D) Pulling all-nighters regularly
- Avoidance: Incorporate regular breaks, exercise, and proper nutrition into your study routine.
Poor Time Management:
- Mistake: Not pacing oneself during the exam.
- Example Question: “A patient reports chest pain and difficulty breathing. What should the nurse do first?”
- A) Administer pain medication
- B) Assess the patient’s vital signs
- C) Notify the healthcare provider
- D) Place the patient in a semi-Fowler’s position
- Avoidance: Practice timed quizzes and exams to develop a sense of timing and prioritization.
Skipping Content Areas:
- Mistake: Ignoring difficult or less interesting topics.
- Example Question: “Which symptom is most commonly associated with hyperthyroidism?”
- A) Weight gain
- B) Bradycardia
- C) Heat intolerance
- D) Constipation
- Avoidance: Ensure a balanced review of all topics, giving extra attention to weaker areas.
- Focusing on weaker areas while preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam ensures you strengthen your overall knowledge and skills. By addressing gaps, you reduce the risk of encountering unfamiliar or challenging questions, improving your confidence and increasing your chances of passing the exam successfully.
Cramming:
- Mistake: Relying on last-minute studying.
- Example Question: “A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes insipidus. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?”
- A) Risk for infection
- B) Fluid volume deficit
- C) Impaired gas exchange
- D) Decreased cardiac output
- Avoidance: Study consistently over time rather than cramming. Use a study plan that spreads material over several weeks or months.
Misreading Questions:
- Mistake: Not carefully reading and understanding the questions.
- Example Question: “What is the most important action for the nurse to take when a patient reports feeling lightheaded and dizzy after receiving morphine?”
- A) Increase IV fluids
- B) Assist the patient to a sitting position
- C) Assess the patient’s blood pressure
- D) Administer oxygen
- Avoidance: Carefully read each question and all answer choices. Look for key terms and avoid assumptions.
Ignoring the Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) Format:
Don’t forget to do questions practice before exam. The more question practice you do, the more chances of passing your NCLEX-RN exam
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NCLEX Practice Questions: #1 Free NCLEX Test Bank 2024 – Nurseslabs (FREE OF COST)
FREE PRACTICE MATERNITY RELATED QUESTIONS FOR NCLEX-RN 2024 – brandednurses (FREE OF COST)
- Mistake: Not understanding how the NCLEX-RN adapts based on your answers.
- Example Question: “The nurse is assessing a patient with a new onset of confusion. Which assessment is the priority?”
- A) Level of consciousness
- B) Blood glucose level
- C) Oxygen saturation
- D) Medication history
- Avoidance: Familiarize yourself with the CAT format. Understand that the test adjusts to your performance and focuses on answering each question to the best of your ability without worrying about the difficulty level.
By avoiding these mistakes and practicing with real NCLEX-style questions, you’ll be better prepared for the exam and improve your chances of passing. Good luck!
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2023_RN_Test Plan_English_FINAL.pdf (nclex.com)
I would love to share the above NCLEX-RN TEST PLAN with you all. The content of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan is organized into four major Client Needs categories. Two of the four categories are divided into subcategories.
FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING 5 POINTS
- Understand the format: Familiarize yourself with the Next Gen NCLEX-RN structure and question types.
- Comprehensive review: Focus on all content areas, especially weak spots.
- Practice clinical judgment: Use case studies and scenarios.
- Regular practice: Complete NCLEX-style questions and full exams.
- Structured plan: Follow a balanced study schedule with self-care.