Nursing Now Todays Issues Tomorrows Trends Sixth Edition

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan Joseph T. Catalano Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Computerized Exam Taken at Pearson Professional Testing Sites Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan Sixth Edition § Each question is assigned a difficulty value on a 7 logit scale (Rasch scale) § Starts out with medium-difficulty level questions § Difficulty level: § Somewhat relative § Determined by: § Where it is taught in the program § Complexity of the material Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Number of Questions Sixth Edition § 75 questions minimum (only 60 count; 15 are trial questions for next exam) § 265 questions maximum (250 count) § No students are randomly selected to take all 265 § Can pass or fail in 75 questions § Can pass or fail in 265 questions § Can pass or fail with any number of questions between 75 and 265 Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Pool of Questions § Computer selects questions from pool of about 4, 000 questions § Selection based on difficulty level and test plan § Each examination is different—unique to the person taking it § Many questions in one topic area may mean: § Trial-testing those questions § You’re having trouble in one area Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Difficulty Level Sixth Edition § It’s a good sign if you’re getting a lot of questions that seem to be very hard! § You are probably in the upper-difficulty level questions § Remember: § The smartest instructor you had in school probably couldn’t answer some of the highest (+3) difficulty level questions! § It’s designed so no one gets 100% Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Difficulty Level § Anything you know REALLY well will NOT be on the NCLEX exam § There are NOT any “happy” questions on the NCLEX—there is always something wrong, and if it’s in the question, you need to worry about it! Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Measures Nursing Knowledge 1. Integrated, coordinated, safe, and ethical care 2. Expected stages of growth and development 3. Recognizing and assisting clients to cope with health alterations and promote health practices 4. Promote and support physical, psychological, spiritual, and social well-being 5. Managing care related to the administration of medications and parenteral therapies 6. Managing care for clients with acute, chronic, or life threatening health conditions Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX: Minimum Level of Competency; Protects the Public! § NCLEX is a licensure exam § § Establishes a minimum level of competency Protects the public from unsafe nurses Does NOT mean you are a “super-nurse” Means you probably won’t kill someone the first time you take care of a client! Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Minimum Level of Competency § § NCLEX asks “entry-level” type questions NCLEX questions tend to be very “textbook-ish” Look for the expected—textbook type knowledge Don’t look for exceptions Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Grading the NCLEX Exam § If you take 75 to 264 questions in 6 hours or less, you are measured against the pass criteria on the Rasch scale § If you take 265 questions in 6 hours or less, your score is calculated on the total you got correct (need about 60%) § If you take fewer than 265 questions but run out of time, computer looks at the whole exam: if majority are above the pass criterion, you pass Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Exam Procedures § 6 -hour morning and 6 -hour afternoon sessions § 10 to 15 graduates take test at same time; each has own computer § Leave all your belongings at door in locker § Digital fingerprints, digital picture, and digital signature taken when you enter § (You are a prisoner of the testing center for the next 6 hours!) Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Exam Procedures § Sit at computer with your picture § Two chances to complete tutorial § Tight security § All sessions are taped; proctor remains in room § Be careful not to look like you’re cheating! Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Mouse Used to Select Most Answers—Little Keyboard Use Tutorial on mouse Left-click on answer to select Two buttons on bottom of screen Click on Next (N) button to confirm selection and move to next question § No going back to change answers § § Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Pop-up Calculator § A pop-up calculator is available § Can be accessed for calculation problems § Click on calculator icon on button bar at bottom of screen § Calculation problems will likely be more difficult than in the past § Magic slate for scrap paper Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Time Limit for NCLEX § No minimum time limit § Maximum time limit is 6 hours § Mandatory break after 2 1/2 hr § Optional break after 4 hours Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Time Limit for NCLEX § Not strictly a “timed exam”; can spend all 6 hours on question 1—no minimum § Average number of questions – approximately 120 § Average time for all takers approximately 122 minutes § Most people average 45 seconds per question § Calculate time for 1 minute per question § Keep an eye on the “Time Remaining” box § If taking more than 2 minutes on any question, put down an answer and move on Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Most Are Multiple-Choice Questions § Each multiple-choice question has two or three parts: § Case study (client situation)—optional § Stem question § Four distracters (answers): only one is correct Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Plan Type of Questions Sixth Edition § The NCSBN has started using “alternative” format test items § Each graduate is supposed to correctly answer at least two of the items no matter how many questions are taken § Latest information indicates that they will count toward the final grade Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Alternative Format Questions § § § Fill in the blank—word or calculation Sequencing items – Drag and drop Multiple answer Hot spot questions Chart or exhibit items (Type I) Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Alternative Format Questions § New types starting in 2010: § EXHIBIT ITEMS (TYPE 2) § AUDIO ITEMS § GRAPHIC ITEMS Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan § Three major components 1. Levels of cognitive ability 2. Integrated concepts and processes 3. Client health needs Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Component 1 Levels of Cognitive Ability § Bloom’s taxonomy § Level 1. Recall or memory (knowledge; comprehension) § Level 2. Analysis (application) § Level 3. Synthesis; evaluation (judgment) Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Levels of Cognitive Ability § Level 1: Recall/memory § Most basic way to learn § Forms the basis for other types of learning and information processing § Teacher-made tests tend to have a lot of these questions—easy to make up § Very few, if any, of this level question on the NCLEX Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Levels of Cognitive Ability § Level 2: Analysis, application § Analysis/application requires the student not only to remember but to use the basic information § Separate knowledge into key parts § Then interpret the knowledge and decide what it means or implies § Common questions: nursing, diagnosis, lab values, ECG interpretation Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Levels of Cognitive Ability § Level 3: Synthesis/evaluation § Synthesis, evaluation, and judgment take the process one step further § Students are asked to know more than one fact AND § Apply rules, methods, principles, or theories to a situation, AND § Make judgments and decisions about patient care (continued) Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Levels of Cognitive Ability § Level 3 (continued) § Students must be able to process two or more facts, concepts, theories, rules, or principles of care to answer the question § Question may ask the student to discriminate between four plausible answers by priority (best, first, highest priority, etc. ) § These types of questions are the best indicators of critical thinking § Used a lot by NCLEX Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Component 2 Integrated Concepts and Processes § Integrated concepts and processes include: § § § Nursing process Caring Communication and documentation Cultural awareness Self-care Teaching and learning § These are asked throughout the exam Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Component 2 Integrated Concepts and Processes § Focus on Nursing Process § Five-step process of NCLEX § Assessment § Analysis § Planning § Intervention (implementation) § Evaluation Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Nursing Process § Assessment questions § Process of gathering information about the client from: § § § Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company History Physical assessment Laboratory tests Complaints Vital signs Environmental elements

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Nursing Process § Analysis § Involves developing and using nursing diagnosis § NCLEX uses NANDA nursing diagnosis system § May ask the student to prioritize nursing diagnosis § Remember Maslow and ABCs Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Nursing Process § Planning § Directed toward: § Goal setting § Determining expected outcomes § Setting priorities for goals and care § Anticipating client needs based on the assessment § Goals should be: § Realistic, time limited, measurable, client centered § May be asked to prioritize goals Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Nursing Process § Intervention/implementation § Identifies nursing actions needed to achieve goals § Includes: § medication administration; drug calculations § basic care; delegation; supervision § carrying out procedures; giving treatments § charting/record keeping § teaching; therapeutic communication § monitoring for changes, etc. Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Nursing Process § Evaluation § Determines if goals were achieved § Ties the nursing process together § Includes: § § § Actual versus expected outcomes Verification of assessment data Evaluation of nursing actions Client responses to treatments, teaching, etc. Client’s level of knowledge and understanding Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Component 3 The Four Client Health Needs Safe & Effective Care Environment Physiological Integrity Psychosocial Needs Health Promotion & Maintenance Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Component 3 Client Health Needs A. Safe & Effective Care Environment Management of Care Safety & Infection Control B. Health Promotion & Maintenance % of Questions 21– 33% 13– 19% 8– 14% 6– 12% C. Psychosocial Integrity 6– 12% D. Physiological Integrity Basic Care & Comfort Pharmacology & Parenteral Therapies Reduction of Risk Potential Physiological Adaptation 43– 67% 6– 12% 13– 19% 11– 17% Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends NCLEX Test Plan: Sixth Edition Component 3 Client Health Needs § Changes starting in 2010 § Increase the pass difficulty level by 0. 05 logits (from 0. 21 logits to 0. 16 logits) § Increase questions dealing with management and management issues to 22% (highest % of any single type of question § Increase Pharmacology-related questions to 19% Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Component 3 Client Health Needs Safe & Effective Care Environment Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Safe and Effective Care Environment § Management of care § Coordinate care; quality assurance § Delegation § Management and leadership § Safety and infection control § § § Medication administration; lab tests Preventing injuries; restraints Safety measures Types of isolation Legal and ethical issues Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Component 3 Client Health Needs Physiological Integrity Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Physiological Integrity § § Sixth Edition Basic care and comfort Pharmacology and parenteral therapies Reduction of risk potential Physiological adaptation § § Includes adult medical/surgical and pediatrics All major disease processes Genetic disorders Basic care (mobility, comfort, hygiene, etc. ) Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Component 3 Client Health Needs Psychosocial Needs Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Psychosocial Needs § Coping and adaptation § Coping skills versus defense mechanisms § Therapeutic communication § Crisis intervention § Psychosocial adaptation § All the major psychological disorders § Anxiety disorders; depression; schizophrenia § Personality disorders; OMD § Drug abuse and treatment modes Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company Sixth Edition

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition NCLEX Test Plan: Component 3 Client Health Needs Health Promotion & Maintenance Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Health Promotion and Maintenance § Growth and development through the life span § Eriksson’s stages; Piaget § Normal G & D § Prevention and early detection of disease § § Normal OB and complications STD Women’s health Newborn care and complications Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Reporting of NCLEX Results § Computer knows when it shuts off if you passed or failed § At the end of the day, results are downloaded electronically to NCSBN in Chicago § Next business day, they notify state board of nursing electronically and send hard copy § Up to SBN to notify graduate: § Many do it electronically § Some still wait until they get the hard copy Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Pass or Fail Only on NCLEX No numerical score Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition With Fail Score You Get Additional Information § 10 content areas are listed and described § For each area, one of the following is used to describe graduate performance: § Above the passing standard § Near the passing standard § Below the passing standard § Use to study for retake Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Retaking the NCLEX Exam § Must wait 45 days to retake the exam § First-time takers have preference for dates and times § Some states have limits on the number of times it can be retaken Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Examination Study Tips NCLEX Contact the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Web site for information on recent changes in NCLEX, sample tutorial, and sample questions: http: //www. ncsbn. org Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Study Tips for the NCLEX § Formal NCLEX Reviews § § § Similar content Different formats Look for pass rate after review Look for guarantee Only as good as the presenter Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Study Tips For NCLEX § Do 3, 000 to 5, 000 questions § Complete a 265 -item test in one sitting in 6 hours § Practice on the computer § Practice computer tests – Google “NCLEX Practice test” Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Study Tips For NCLEX § Take the NCLEX as soon as possible after you graduate. Studies show: § § Less than 26 days: 89% pass rate 27 to 39 days: 80% pass rate 40 to 62 days: 72% pass rate 62 days to 4 years: 45% pass rate Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Night Before the Exam Sixth Edition No Movie—Only Light Entertainment Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Night Before the Exam Drive to the Test Site Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company Sixth Edition

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Night Before the Exam § Review formulas, common medications, and information presented in tables, cards, and lists § Don’t try to study everything! Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Night Before the Exam § Go to bed at a reasonable hour § Rest does not = sleep § Think positive! Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company I Passed! Sixth Edition

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Day You Take the NCLEX Exam § Avoid excessive oral intake of your preferred caffeine beverage: coffee, tea, soft drinks Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Day You Take the NCLEX Exam § Cigarettes § If you smoke, this is not a good day to quit! § If you don’t smoke, this is not a good day to start! Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Day You Take the NCLEX Exam § Do increase intake of foods with highquality protein and complex carbohydrates § Do arrive 30 to 45 minutes early Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Day You Take the NCLEX Exam § Don’t let security fluster you § They take: § A digital picture § A digital thumb print § A digital signature Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company

Nursing Now! Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s Trends Sixth Edition Day You Take the NCLEX Exam § Wear comfortable clothes Think positive! Copyright © 2012 F. A. Davis Company