{"id":13196,"date":"2016-12-05T12:01:41","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T17:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=13196"},"modified":"2020-09-11T20:42:30","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T20:42:30","slug":"nclex-strategies-using-answer-choices-to-obtain-clues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/nclex\/nclex-strategies-using-answer-choices-to-obtain-clues\/","title":{"rendered":"NCLEX Strategies: Using Answer Choices to Obtain Clues"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Because the NCLEX-RN<b>\u00ae\u00a0<\/b>exam is testing your critical thinking, the topic of the questions may be unstated. You may see a question that concerns a disease process or procedure with which you are unfamiliar. Most test takers who are \u201cclueless\u201d about a question will read the question and answer choices over and over again. They do this because they hope that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They will remember seeing the topic in their notes or on a textbook page.<\/li>\n<li>The light will dawn and they will remember something about the topic.<\/li>\n<li>They believe there is some clue in the question that will point them toward the correct<br \/>\nanswer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What usually happens? Absolutely nothing! The student then randomly selects an answer choice. When you randomly select an answer, you have 1 chance in 4 of getting it right. You can better those odds, and here\u2019s how: When you encounter a question that deals with unfamiliar nursing content, look for clues in the answer choices instead of in the question stem.<br \/>\nIf you find yourself \u201cclueless\u201d after you carefully read a question, follow these steps:<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 1<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Resist the impulse to read and reread the question. Read the question only once. Identify the topic of the question. It is often unstated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 2<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Read the answer choices, not to select the correct answer but to figure out, \u201cWhat is the topic of the question?\u201d or \u201cWhat should I be thinking?\u201d You are looking for clues from the answer choices.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 3<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>After reading the answer choices, reword the question using the clues that you have obtained.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 4<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Then use the strategies previously discussed to answer the question you have formulated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_heading  avia-align-left '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img class='wp-image-0 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-0 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2016\/12\/Screen-Shot-2016-12-04-at-11.38.07-AM.png\" alt='' title=''   itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_promobox  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Practice Question 1<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\t<div   class='av_promobox  avia-button-no   avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading '>\t\t<div class='avia-promocontent'><p>\nA client contacts his home care nurse with complaints of nausea and abdominal pain. He has type 1 diabetes. The nurse should advise the client to do which of the following?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\u201cHold your regular dose of insulin.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cCheck your blood glucose level every 3\u20134 hours.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cIncrease your consumption of foods containing simple sugars.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cIncrease your activity level.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\n<\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<i>Step 1. <\/i>Read the stem of the question. Can you identify the topic of the question? No, you can\u2019t. The nurse is telling the client to do something, but about what topic? The topic is unstated in the question.<br \/>\n<i>Step 2. <\/i>Read the answer choices to obtain clues about the topic of the question. Each answer choice deals with ways to maintain a normal blood sugar.<br \/>\n<i>Step 3. <\/i>Reword the question: \u201cWhat does the nurse tell the client about \u2018sick day rules\u2019?\u201d<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_promobox  el_before_av_heading  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Answer and Explanation<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n(1) \u00a0\u201cHold your regular dose of insulin.\u201d This is an implementation that would increase the blood glucose level. The nurse should assess first. Eliminate.<br \/>\n(2) \u00a0\u201cCheck your blood glucose level every 3\u20134 hours.\u201d This is an assessment. Before you can advise the client, you must identify whether the client is hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic. Keep this answer for consideration.<br \/>\n(3) \u00a0\u201cIncrease your consumption of foods containing simple sugars.\u201d This is an implementation and would increase the client\u2019s blood glucose level. The nurse should assess first. Eliminate.<br \/>\n(4) \u00a0\u201cIncrease your activity level.\u201d This is an implementation that would decrease the client\u2019s blood glucose level. The nurse should assess first. Eliminate.<br \/>\nThe nurse should always assess before implementing nursing care. The correct answer is (2).<br \/>\nNo matter how much you prepare for the NCLEX-RN<b>\u00ae <\/b>exam, there may be topics you see on your test with which you are unfamiliar. Reading the answer choices for clues will increase your chances of selecting a correct answer. Remember, you do have a body of knowledge. You just have to be calm and access this knowledge.<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_image  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Practice Question 2<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nIn some questions, the NCLEX-RN<b>\u00ae <\/b>exam asks you to figure out the topic of the question. In those questions, you should follow this path:<br \/>\n<div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_promobox  avia-align-right '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img class='wp-image-0 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-0 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2016\/12\/Screen-Shot-2016-12-04-at-11.38.39-AM.png\" alt='' title=''   itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nIn other questions you are required to use critical thinking skills to figure out what the answer choices <i>really <\/i>mean. The NCLEX-RN<b>\u00ae <\/b>exam can take a concept with which you are very familiar and make it difficult to recognize. The following question illustrates this point.<br \/>\n\t<div   class='av_promobox  avia-button-no   avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_heading '>\t\t<div class='avia-promocontent'><p>\nA client with a history of heart failure visits the clinic. He states, \u201cI have not been feeling like my old self for about 2 weeks.\u201d It would be most important for the nurse to ask which of the following questions?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\u201cDo your ankles swell at the end of the day?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cWhere do you sleep at night?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cHow do you feel after you eat dinner?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cDo you have chest pain when you inhale?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\n<\/div><\/div><br \/>\nIt is not difficult to identify the topic of this question, \u201cWhat is a priority for a client with heart failure?\u201d Many students get tripped up on this question by not thinking through the answers as carefully as they should. In some questions, you have to figure out the topic of the question. In this question, you have to figure out what the answer choices mean.<br \/>\n<i>Step 1. <\/i>Read the stem of the question.<br \/>\n<i>Step 2. <\/i>Reword the question in your own words.<br \/>\n<i>Step 3. <\/i>Read the answer choices.<br \/>\n<i>Step 4. <\/i>Think: \u201cWhat nursing concept should I identify in the answer choices?\u201d<br \/>\nThe Reworded Question: What is a priority for a client with heart failure?<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_promobox  el_before_av_hr  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Answer and Explanation<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n(1) \u201cDo your ankles swell at the end of the day?\u201d Why would you ask a client this question? Because edema is a symptom of right-sided heart failure. Is right-sided failure your priority? No, left-sided failure takes priority because it affects the lungs. Eliminate this answer.<br \/>\n(2) \u201cWhere do you sleep at night?\u201d Why would you ask a client this question? If he is sleeping in his bed, his breathing is not compromised. If he has to sleep in his recliner, he is having orthopnea. Orthopnea is a symptom of left-sided failure, and this would be a priority. Keep this answer for consideration.<br \/>\n(3) \u201cHow do you feel after you eat dinner?\u201d Why would you ask a client this question? Bloating after meals is a symptom of right-sided failure. This is not as important as breathing problems. Eliminate this answer.<br \/>\n(4) \u201cDo you have chest pain when you inhale?\u201d Why would you ask a client this question? It does indicate a breathing problem. The student who reacts rather than thinks may select this answer. Pain on inspiration may indicate irritation of the parietal pleura of the lung, which is not associated with heart failure. Eliminate this answer.<br \/>\nThe correct answer is (2). In order to select this answer, you must recognize that \u201cWhere do you sleep at night?\u201d represents orthopnea. The NCLEX-RN<b>\u00ae <\/b>exam can take important concepts such as this, and \u201chide\u201d the concept in some fairly simple behaviors.<br \/>\n<div   class='hr hr-short hr-center   avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_icon_box '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\nThese questions illustrate why knowing nursing content is not enough to answer application\/analysis-level questions. You must be able to effectively use the information you learned in nursing school to answer NCLEX-RN<b>\u00ae <\/b>exam-style test questions. Here is a brief review of some of the lessons you have learned in this chapter:<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<article  class=\"iconbox iconbox_left_content    avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last  \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class=\"iconbox_icon heading-color\" aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue82a' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'  ><\/div><div class=\"iconbox_content\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h3 class='iconbox_content_title  '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Overview<\/h3><\/header><div class='iconbox_content_container  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Reword the question.<br \/>\nEliminate answer choices you know to be incorrect.<br \/>\nDon\u2019t predict answers.<br \/>\nRecognize expected outcomes.<br \/>\nRead answer choices to obtain clues.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nPrevious: <a title=\"NCLEX Strategies: Recognizing Expected Outcomes\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/nclex\/nclex-strategies-recognizing-expected-outcomes\/\">NCLEX Strategies: Recognizing Expected Outcomes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Because the NCLEX-RN\u00ae\u00a0exam is testing your critical thinking, the topic of the questions may be unstated. You may see a question that concerns a disease process or procedure with which you are unfamiliar. Most test takers who are \u201cclueless\u201d about a question will read the question and answer choices over and over again. They do [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26987,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[97],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13196"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13196"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36101,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13196\/revisions\/36101"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}