Test-taking Pearls

Beth Torres, PhD, RN, CCRN

CJW Medical Center

• PCCN 125 questions 2 ½ hrs

• CCRN 150 questions 3 hrs

Format of exam

Certification Exam Blueprint

• Know the exam blueprint so you can focus your study appropriately

– 80% Clinical Judgment

– 20% Professional Caring and Ethics

• http://www.aacn.org/wd/certifications/docs/certexamhandbook.pdf

PCCN

• New test plan goes into effect for exams taken on or after June 26, 2013

http://www.aacn.org/wd/certifications/content/pccn-2013-exam-documents.content?menu=certification

Test Plan CCRN

• CV (20%)

• Pulmonary (18%)

• Endocrine (5%)

• Hematology/Immun. (2%)

• Neuro (12%)

• GI (6%)

• Multisystem (8%)

• Behavioral/Psych (4%)

• Professional Caring/Ethics (20%)

PCCN

• CV (36%)

• Pulmonary (14%)

• Endocrine (4%)

• Hematology/Immun. (2%)

• Neuro (5%)

• GI (5%)

• Multisystem (5%)

• Behavioral/Psych (4%)

• Professional Caring/Ethics (20%)

PCCN After 6-26-2013

• CV (33%)

• Pulmonary (14%)

• Endocrine/Hematology/GI/Renal (18%)

• Neurology/multisystem/Behavioral (15%)

• Professional Caring/Ethics (20%)

• Review course

• Identify areas of further study

• Review books

• Study group

• AACN self assessment exams

HOW TO PREPARE

Exam Preparation

• Identify your area of weakness from the material reviewed in class

• Develop a study plan – Plan to study 5 hours / week for 90 days – Create study tools – Designate study time – Form a study group

• Take a practice test

The Night Before • Don’t drink alcohol

• Don’t stay up late studying

• Don’t drink caffeine

• Do have clothes ready

• Know where you are going. Plan ahead, considering traffic patterns

• Identification will be required

• Do not review

• Eat breakfast

• Wear comfortable clothes- layers

• Arrive early to test site

DAY OF EXAM

TAKING THE EXAM • Wear a watch

• Don’t think of “atypical” patients

• Think like AACN

• General guide- 50 questions in the 1st hr

• Approximately 2 minutes per question

During the Exam

• Read each question carefully

• Formulate your answer first

• Narrow down choices

• No penalty for guessing

• Bookmark

• Trust your first instincts!

TAKING THE EXAM

• Look for answers with a broader focus

• Look for qualifying words

• Look for negative words

• Avoid answers with absolute words– e.g. “always,” “never”

QUALIFYING WORDS: First, best most, initial, better EXAMPLE:

A patient post–cardiac arrest has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) inserted. His wife is concerned about what to do if her husband collapses again. The nurse’s best response would be:

A. “Now that your husband has the ICD you need not worry.”

B. “Do you know how to access the emergency medical service (EMS) system?”

C. “Would you like to be taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to help ease your concern?”

D. “I’ll have the physician talk to you.”

NEGATIVE WORDS: not, least, inappropriate- search for incorrect answer

EXAMPLE: The nurse is preparing to discharge a 75-year-old patient who

has experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). Which of the following evaluation outcomes would be inappropriate for this patient?

A. The patient will be free from arrhythmias.

B. The patient will have no signs of infection at the invasive line sites.

C. The patient will gain no more than 4 lb (1.8 kg) per week.

D. The patient will remain alert and oriented.

ABSOLUTE WORDS: Avoid these answers: always, every, only, all, never, none

EXAMPLE:

Which of the following is an accurate statement about cardiac chest pain

A. Pain is always caused by constriction or blockages of CA by fatty plaques or blood clots

B. True cardiac pain is never relieved without treatment

C. This type of pain is relieved only by NTG

D. Patients generally attribute the pain to indigestion