Selected Reference Nugent, P.M. and Vitale, B.A. (2004). Test Success, 4 th Edition. FA Davis Company: Philadelphia 2

Phases of Test-Taking Note-taking Reading Night before Day of Preparation Type of test Length of test Controlling emotions Testing Achieved score What worked What did not work Evaluation 3

Preparation Learning should take place before you sit down to study for the test. Studying for a test should be reviewing the material and formulating applications of the material to the clinical setting. 4

5 Creating Evaluating Analyzing Applying Understanding Remembering

Types of Questions Knowledge – What is the normal range of a radial pulse in an adult? Comprehension – When clarifying is used as a therapeutic communication tool, then nurse is: Verifying what is implied by the patient 6

Types of Questions Application – When lifting a heavy patient higher in bed, the nurse can prevent self-injury by: Positioning the feet apart with one foot placed forward Analysis – A patient has dependent edema of the ankles and feet and is obese. Which diet should the nurse expect the physician to order? 7

Anatomy of a Multiple Choice Question The issue The stem The options 8

Key Words These are words that influence the issue, the stem or the options. – Priority = first, initially, best, most, safest – Negative = not, except, never, contraindicated, unacceptable, avoid, unrelated, violate, least – Specific determiners (no exceptions) = just, always, never, all, every, none, only – General = early, late, immediately, most likely, least likely, initial 9

The Issue What is the specific subject or problem of the question? May relate to a procedure, a disorder, a problem, a behavior, a medication, a toxic effect of a medication, etc. 10

The Stem The stem is the question. – Compete sentence – Incomplete sentence – Positive polarity (what is true) – Negative polarity (what is false) It may be preceded by a brief case scenario. 11

Complete sentence, positive polarity What should be the first action of the nurse when a fire alarm rings in a health-care facility? Key words – first action Issue – ringing fire alarm 12

Complete sentence, negative polarity On what part of the body should the nurse avoid using soap when bathing a patient? Key words – avoid using soap Issue – part of body being bathed 13

Complete sentence, positive polarity, and case scenario. The nurse is assigned to care for a patient who is incontinent of urine and stool. Which should the nurse apply to best protect this patient’s skin? Key words – best protect Issue – patient’s skin Case scenario – incontinence 14

Incomplete sentence, positive polarity To best understand what a patient is saying, the nurse should: Key words – best understand Issue – what patient is saying 15

Incomplete sentence, negative polarity Range-of-motion (ROM) exercises should not be done: Key words – not be done Issue – range of motion exercises 16

Incomplete sentence, negative polarity, and case scenario. A patient is on a low sodium diet. Before discharge, the patient should be taught to avoid: Key words – avoid Issue – patient teaching Case scenario – low sodium diet 17

The Options Multiple choice options consist of one best response answer and two-three distractors – Option is a sentence – Option completes the sentence begun in the stem – Option is an incomplete sentence – Option is a single word 18

Option is a Sentence Grammatically correct Has a subject and verb ….Before performing a procedure, what should the nurse do first? 1.Raise the patient’s bed to its highest position 2.Collect the equipment for the procedure 3.Position the patient for the procedure 4.Explain the procedure to the patient 19

Option Completes Stem The stem and the option together form a sentence …The primary etiology of obesity is a: 1.Lack of balance in the variety of nutrients 2.Glandular disorder that prevents weight loss 3.Caloric intake that exceeds metabolic needs 4.Psychologic problem that causes overeating 20

Incomplete Sentence Option A phrase or group of words that conveys a unit of thought, an idea, or a concept.When should mouth care be administered to an unconscious patient? 1.Whenever necessary 2.Every 4 hours 3.Once a shift 4.Twice a day 21

Single Word Option Can be any part of speech that conveys information …What is the nurse doing when formulating a nursing diagnosis? 1.Planning 2.Assessing 3.Analyzing 4.Implementing 22

IDENTIFY! key words in the stem that set a priority clues in the stem central person in the question patient-centered option opposites in options equally plausible or unique options, usually eliminate global (umbrella) option duplicate facts among the options options that deny patient feelings, concerns or needs 23

Test Taking Tips Concentrate on one question at a time Read every question carefully Read every line and do not scan the question Ask yourself “What is the question asking?” Try to answer the question without looking at the options, then match your answer with one of the options. 24

Test Taking Tips Don’t waste too much time on any one question – this is a time to wear your watch Eliminate wrong options and do not go back to them Pick the most complete option Be sure the entire answer is option 25

Test Taking Tips Do NOT change answers, your first instincts are usually correct The answer should grammatically match the question Select the options that are within the realm of nursing practice Identify the client, the answer must relate to the client 26

Making Educated Guesses Select the most general answer when other choices are specific Choose the longest answer when others are much shorter Choose the answer with the middle value when others are high or low Choose neither of two similar answers Choose one of two opposite answers 27

Making Educated Guesses Choose among familiar answers Choose logical answers Avoid answers with absolutes (always, never, none, all) in them Use ABC’s or Maslow’s to select answers 28