Preparing for the NCLEX Exam

Answer 1

Successfully passing the NCLEX exam is a requirement for those wishing to become a registered nurse. This computer-based exam is designed to test your skills and knowledge in a host of nursing topics. You will be tested in practice areas such as physiological care, safety protocols, infection control and psychosocial integrity among others. Extensive preparation is required for this exam that can contain as many as 265 questions.

You should acquire NCLEX studies guides to become familiar with the style and types of exam questions. You can purchase these books or determine whether they are available in your nursing school library. Knowing what to expect ahead of time will assist you in completing each section more easily.

You should study the core concepts of adult physiology. A significant portion of the exam focuses heavily on the nervous, respiratory, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems. There are also questions relating to HIV/AIDS and oncology. The pediatrics section covers newborn, infant, childhood and adolescent physiological concepts. You must have a working knowledge of health maintenance and promotion. NCLEX question will cover nutrition, maternal health, childhood growth and development. There are also questions on psychiatric disorders, basic psychiatric nursing concepts and psychopharmacology. You should study the principles of perioperative nursing as well as the legal and ethical issues related to healthcare facilities. There are also questions relating to creating and maintaining a safe care environment for adults and children.

Take the practice exams in your study guide. Once you have completed these mock exams, review your results. This will identify your strengths and weaknesses and help you prepare for the actual exam.

During the actual exam session, the computer will begin with easier questions first. Most areas are scored on a pass/fail basis. You may not be required to answer all the questions on the test. The computer generate a random sampling of questions within a given subject area. Once the system has determined that you have or have not demonstrated expertise in that area, the test will stop. With proper preparation you can complete the easier sections quickly. This will give you confidence and more time to answer follow on questions. The questions are multiple choice. If you don't know the answer, see if you can eliminate one of more of the possibilities. This will assist you in determining the correct response. You don't have to answer every question correctly to pass the NCLEX.