8 Critical Subjects You Need to Master Before Taking The NCLEX

NCLEX or the National Council Licensure Examination determines if it’s safe for new nursing graduates to begin practicing as entry-level nurses. NCLEX tests analysis and application using the knowledge you learned in a nursing program. It’s unlike nursing school examinations, which are purely knowledge-based. When taking the NCLEX, you’ll be tested on how you use critical thinking skills in making nursing judgments.

The NCLEX Exam Types

The NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN are the two NCLEX exam types available. NCLEX-RN is for candidates aiming to become licensed RNs or registered nurses. On the other hand, NCLEX-PN is for aspiring vocational or practical nurses (LVNs/LPNs). Those with either a bachelor’s or associate RN degree can take the former.

A pass/fail format is used to grade the results from both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. Multiple-choice questions are the ones mostly included in these computerized tests. The two types of NCLEX examinations differ in two key ways, despite being largely similar. Aspiring nurses who are planning NCLEX exam prep should know that the time given to complete each examination varies. The number of questions administered also differs between the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN.

The NCLEX-RN has no fewer than 75 questions and can have a maximum of 265 questions. On the other hand, the NCLEX-PN has at least 85 questions and a maximum of 205 questions. Six hours is given to complete the former, while the latter has to be completed in five hours.

Subjects To Study

To study more efficiently, aspiring nurses have to become familiar with the NCLEX test plan’s content distribution. The needs across the life span of a client in various settings are reflected in each category. Based on the content distribution and total length of the individual exam. The percentage of every category can vary. It will be determined by the responses of the test takers and their competency demonstration in an area.

When taking the new NCLEX exam, you can expect to find the following sections or question types:

1. Safe And Effective Caring Environment

The ability of the test takers to both protect staff and patients from dangers and enhance the care setting will be evaluated in this section. The section includes the two subcategories listed below:

• Safety And Infection Control

Surgical asepsis, equipment use, restraints, ergonomics, handling of infectious materials, and injury prevention are covered by the test questions under this subcategory.

• Management Of Care/Coordinated Care

The management of care subcategory covers informed consent, continuity of care, case management, client rights, and advance directives. Note that the management of care subcategory is for RNs. The coordinated care subcategory is for PNs and lacks principles, such as case management, although closely similar to management of care.

2. Health Promotion And Maintenance

Strategies to achieve optimal health, early detection and/or prevention of health problems, as well as normal growth and development across the life span of a person will be the focus of aspiring nurses in this category.

3. Psychosocial Integrity

From acute to chronic illnesses, aspiring nurses focus on promoting and supporting the social, mental, and emotional well-being of clients who have experienced stressful events in this main category.

4. Physiological Integrity

Gerontology, pediatrics, surgical care, and medical care will be covered in this section of the test. Questions on topics such as child abuse, birth abnormalities, skin disorders, and traumatic injuries will have to be answered by aspiring nurses. This section is broken down into four subcategories:

• Physiological Adaptation

This subcategory deals with the different changes to the physical condition of a patient that may occur while in a hospital setting. Emergencies, allergic reactions, electrolyte imbalances, and blood flow will all be covered here.

• Reduction Of Risk Potential

Questions about minimizing the complications that may stem from the underlying conditions of patients or from therapies they’re receiving will be covered in this subcategory. It includes questions about applying therapeutic practices, monitoring changes in vital signs, understanding complications from procedures, assessing laboratory results, and running diagnostic tests.

• Pharmacological Therapies/ Pharmacological And Parental Therapies

Both through the alimentary canal or mouth and intravenously, more responsibilities are placed on the shoulders of RNs for administering medications than the PNs. Managing pain, calculating doses, giving injections, handling blood, as well as drug interactions and side effects will be covered by the questions under this subcategory. Note that since NCLEX-PN candidates aren’t responsible for parental therapies, they’re going to deal with a smaller list of questions.

• Basic Care And Comfort

This subcategory deals with assistive devices, waste elimination, sleep, hygiene, hydration, nutrition, and mobility issues.

The Distribution Of The Questions On The Test

Students always focus on the number of questions that will be asked on certain topics during nursing school. For the NCLEX-RN, it’s also a common approach. Here’s how the questions will be distributed on the exam:

• Management Of Care – 20%
• Safety And Infection Control – 12%
• Health Promotion And Maintenance – 9%
• Psychosocial Integrity – 9%
• Basic Care And Comfort – 9%
• Pharmacological And Parental Therapies – 15%
• Reduction Of Risk Potential – 12%
• Physiological Adaptation – 14%

When To Review

A few months ahead of your plan to take the test is a good idea to start preparing and reviewing for the NCLEX. Remember that you have to brush up on several things, including disease processes, medications, lab values, and more.

Despite the fact that the exam is largely focused on rote memorization, aspiring nurses still must understand the disease processes since there won’t be straight questions on the test. To identify the relevant information, you’ll have to understand the processes fully as they’re usually combined with other facts.

Also, getting yourself used to answering many questions in one sitting is always a good idea. That’s because the NCLEX exam can have a maximum of 265 questions that you have to finish answering within just a maximum of six hours. Your brain has to be accustomed to being in a stressful environment so that you can easily adjust when already taking the real thing. The test will be an intense experience, even if you’re just going to receive the minimum number of questions.

The Next Step

Now that you already know what will be on the examination, studying for the test will be your next step. It’s best to identify those areas you need to concentrate on the most and create a study plan. The critical NCLEX subjects mentioned in this post should help you better prepare for the exam.