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Test-Taking Techniques
Before
answering a question, break it down into its components. First read the stem.
What is it actually asking?
Do not select
an option too quickly, without careful thought. An option may contain accurate
information, but it may not answer the question asked in the stem. Each option
deserves attention.
Negative Polarity
Look for key
words such as not, except, never, contraindicated, unacceptable, avoid,
unrelated, violate, and least.
Sometimes
underlined (not), italics (except), boldface (never), or
capitals (VIOLATE).
ID exceptions,
detect error
If all options
are correct, reread.
Example Negative Polarity
A patient is on
a low sodium diet. Before discharge the patient should be taught to avoid:
Stewed fruit
Luncheon meats
Whole grain
cereal
Green leafy
vegetables
Priority Words
Look for key
words such as first, initially, best, priority, and most.
When ranking
options (ie. Importance from 1-4), eliminate the option that you believe is most
wrong among all the options. Continue until one answer remains.
You’re putting
value on each option.
Example Priority Words
The nurse is
assigned to care for a patient who is incontinent or urine and stool. To best
protect the skin, the nurse should apply:
A
petroleum-type jelly
Incontinence
pad
Talcum powder
Corn starch
Stem
Clues
A word or
phrase in the stem may provide a hint for choosing the correct answer.
Occasionally, a
word or phrase in the stem is identical to a word or phrase in the correct
answer and is called a clang association. Ring a bell?
Clang
Association Example
To meet a
patient’s basic physiological need according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs the
nurse should:
Pull the
curtain when the patient is on a bedpan
Maintain the
patient in functional alignment
Respond to the
call light immediately
Raise both side
rails on the bed
Patient-Centered Options
The focus of
the nurse’s concern should be the patient.
Explore patient
feelings, identify patient preferences, empower the patient, afford the patient
choices, or in some other way put emphasis on the patient.
Identify Specific Determiners
Conveys a
thought or concept that has no exceptions.
Words such as
just, always, never, all, every, none, and only.
Statements that
use all-inclusive terms frequently represented broad generalizations that are
usually false.
However, some
absolutes, such as “all patients should be treated with respect”, are correct.
Identify Opposites
Sometimes an
item will contain two options that are opposite to each other.
One of them
will be the correct answer, or they both can be eliminated from consideration.
Options that Deny Pt. Feelings, Concerns, and Needs
Sometimes
nurses must focus on the negative rather than the positive, acknowledge that
everything may not have the desired outcome, and recognize patient feelings as a
priority.
Options that
imply everything will be all right, deny pt. Feelings, change the subject,
encourage the pt. to be cheerful, or abdicate nursing responsibility to other
members of the health team are usually distracters and can be eliminated from
consideration.
Put
All Techniques to Use
General Techniques
Follow your
regular routine the night before a test.
Arrive on time.
Bring
appropriate tools.
Understand all
directions before starting the test.
Manage your
time to your advantage.
Focus on the
simple before the complex.
Make educated
guesses.
Maintain
positive mental attitude.
Check your
answers and answer sheet.
Reading Comprehension
Learn to engage
your inner dialogue with the author, and in turn actually
understand deeply. Enter into a point of view other than your own – the
authors.
Actively
look for assumptions, key concepts and ideas, reasons and justifications,
supporting examples, parallel experiences, implications and consequences of the
written text, to interpret and assess it accurately and fairly.
Do you
understand clearly what was said?
How can you
agree or disagree with the content?
Contact Information
- MESSAGES
- 782-2204
-
- E-Mail
- Web Master: FFerozali@pdc.dds.ca.gov
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