1. Becoming a Successful Health Sciences Student

2. In a Health Science course you will be asked 2 types of questions. Lower level thinking questions. –require you to simply recall an answer Higher level thinking questions. –require much more “brain power” and a more extensive answer These are classified using Bloom’s Taxonomy

3. Lower Level Questions Requires you to: –remember –recall –organize –apply one Each question has only one correct answer. These are categorized as follows:

4. Knowledge recall of information knowledge of dates, events, places knowledge of major ideas Question Cues: Question Cues: list, define, describe, identify, label, quote, examine, name, who, when, where, etc. Example: What is the normal temperature for an adult?

5. Comprehension understanding information interpret facts, compare, contrast order, group predict consequences Question Cues: Question Cues: summarize, describe, interpret, contrast, predict, estimate, differentiate, discuss Example: What is the difference between a normal oral and axillary temperature for an adult?

6. Application use information use methods or concepts in new situations solve problems using knowledge Questions Cues: Questions Cues: apply, demonstrate, calculate, solve, examine, modify, change, classify Example: The nurse asks to you take Mr. May’s temperature. He is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula. What method would you use to take his temperature?

7. Higher Level Questions Requires you to: –think more critically –evaluate information and situations –make decisions –resolve controversies or problems –find the best solution Questions may have more than one answer that is or seems to be correct.

8. Analysis seeing patterns organization of parts recognition of hidden meanings identification of components Question Cues: Question Cues: analyze, order, explain, connect, infer classify, arrange, divide, compare Example Explain why the temperature varies when taken orally, rectally, and in the axilla.

9. Synthesis use old ideas to create new ones relate knowledge from several areas predict, draw conclusions Question clues: setup, plan, produce, hypothesize, develop, design, predict, arrange, assemble, create Example You walk into Mr. Jones’ room and discover him lying in the floor, unconscious and bleeding. Describe you actions.

10. Evaluation compare data from a variety of observations assess the value of evidence make choices based on observations Question cues: judge, assess, decide, measure, evaluate, infer rate, score, predict, revise, choose, conclude Example Mr. Jones’ breathing becomes very labored and he has his hand on his chest. His skin is cool and clammy. However, he tells you that he feels fine. Is this a serious situation? Why?

11. Answering Higher Order Questions When answering higher order questions, there may be more than one “right” answer. However, you must choose the best answer. To find this you should always consider: safety issues abnormal or critical observations quality of life issues priority Use these to help you choose the BEST answer.