Table of Contents
About the Authors xi
How to Use This Book xiii
Sign Up for an Online Classroom Event xv
Part 1 NCLEX-PN® Exam Overview
Chapter 1 Overview of the NCLEX-PN® Exam 3
What Is the NCLEX-PN® Exam? 3
Content of the NCLEX-PN® Exam 7
Looking Ahead: Next Generation NCLEX® (NGN) 18
Chapter 2 General Test Strategies 19
Standardized Exams 19
What Behaviors Does the NCLEX-PN® Exam Test? 20
Strategies That Don't Work on the NCLEX-PN® Exam 25
Becoming a Better Test Taker 25
Part 2 NCLEX-PN® Strategies and Practice
Chapter 3 Computer Adaptive Test Strategies 31
Alternate Format Test Questions 32
Multiple-Choice Test Questions 38
Critical Thinking Strategies 40
Reword the Question 41
Eliminate Incorrect Answer Choices 43
Don't Predict Answers 47
Recognize Expected Outcomes 49
Read Answer Choices to Obtain Clues 51
Chapter Quiz 57
Chapter Quiz Answers and Explanations 60
Chapter 4 The NCLEX-PN® Exam Versus Real-World Nursing 65
First Take Care of the Client, Then the Equipment 68
Laboratory Values 69
Medication Administration 72
Notify the Primary Health Care Provider 73
Chapter Quiz 76
Chapter Quiz Answers and Explanations 78
Chapter 5 Strategies for Priority Questions 83
Strategy One: Maslow 85
Strategy Two: Nursing Process (Data Collection Versus Implementation) 89
Strategy Three: Safety 93
Chapter Quiz 100
Chapter Quiz Answers and Explanations 102
Chapter 6 Strategies for Coordination of Care Questions 107
Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) 107
Registered Nurse (RN) 110
Roles of Other Members of the Health Care Team 111
Coordination of Care Questions 113
Chapter Quiz 115
Chapter Quiz Answers and Explanations 118
Chapter 7 Strategies for Positioning Questions 123
Things to Remember 125
Essential Positions to Know for the NCLEX-PN® Exam 128
Chapter Quiz 129
Chapter Quiz Answers and Explanations 131
Chapter 8 Strategies for Communication Questions 135
Eliminate Answer Choices 135
Select the Correct Response 137
Chapter Quiz 140
Chapter Quiz Answers and Explanations 143
Part 3 Preparing for the NCLEX-PN® Exam
Chapter 9 How to Study for the NCLEX-PN® Exam 149
Ineffective Ways to Prepare 149
Effective Methods of Preparation 150
Mental Preparation 153
Chapter 10 The Licensure Process 155
How to Apply for the NCLEX-PN® Exam 155
Taking the Exam 160
Chapter 11 Taking the Test More Than Once 167
You Are Not Alone 167
How to Interpret Unsuccessful Test Results 167
Should You Test Again? 169
How Should You Begin? 169
Chapter 12 Essentials for International Nurses 173
NCLEX-PN® Exam Administration Abroad 173
The CGFNS® Certificate 174
Work Visas 175
Nursing Practice in the United States 175
U.S.-Style Nursing Communication 176
Sample Questions 179
Answers to Sample Questions 184
Language 188
Kaplan Programs for International Nurses 188
Part 4 The Practice Test
Practice Test 193
Your Practice Test Scores 219
Answer Key 221
Practice Test Answers and Explanations 223
Part 5 NCLEX-PN® Exam Resources
Appendix A Summary of Critical Thinking Paths 279
Appendix B Nursing Terminology 281
Appendix C Common Medical Abbreviations 287
Index 299