The NCLEX tests are required to receive professional licensure in the field of nursing and are created by the National Council of State 

Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCLEX means National Council Licensure Examination. Both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN cover a lot of overlapping material; however, the scoring and number of questions vary 

between the exams.

The NCLEX tests are designed to be one of the final hurdles in your nursing career. Consequently, the questions focus on your 

ability to make decisions in various patient 

care scenarios under critical conditions. The 

NCLEX test requires that you understand the 

basic principles of nursing and apply this to 

different elements of patient safety management.

NCLEX Introduction

Many stare at limited funding and the over- whelming task of studying to pass the NCLEX. 

This website has been created to help students overcome the challenge of the NCLEX test. The 

key NCLEX testing tips are stated as follows:

 1. Assess, Assess, Assess: In almost all cases 

something can be done before contacting the 

MD.

2. Prioritize: Delegate to the appropriate support personal and prioritize your tasks.

3. Review Medical Terminology: Understand 

the definition of all medical abbreviations and 

terminology used in the NCLEX questions. 

The hours of studying and the class work are finally worth it when you are free to practice nursing after passing the NCLEX, and you have highly sought after job skills.

Please take your time to review all of the course notes and links put together on this site about the 

NCLEX test and the pitfalls that some students 

fall into with the NCLEX test. Hopefully you can avoid mistakes others have made when preparing for the NCLEX and will find the following information to be helpful and informative on dealing with the NCLEX test.

NCLEX Test Information

You should answer NCLEX questions using 

“book” knowledge and not practical experience. 

On the NCLEX hospitals operate on massive 

budgets and no expense is spared to provide 

proper care. NCLEX test writers are covering 

all their bases and focus on patient care that 

is sometimes unrealistic in today’s healthcare 

world. Generally, The correct answer is the an- swer that identifies the safest approach. It may 

not be the fastest or the best, but it is the safest. 

The old medical slogan of “Do No Harm” applies 

to NCLEX test takers. NCLEX test writers are 

trying to make sure that you are competent and 

recognize that safety is the key. NCLEX Test Information

Another key point on reviewing for the NCLEX, 

is know your normal laboratory data ranges. Lab 

test results on the NCLEX will not be flagged with an asterisk if the number is outside of normal 

ranges. NCLEX test takers must memorize the 

basic lab values. Focus on the blood gas values. 

These values in particular can be complicated. 

If you do not remember the normal ranges you 

will have no chance of answering lab value questions on the NCLEX. Many times these abnormal 

values will require further assessment.

It is also important to note that notifying the physician or contacting other health care workers 

is not The correct answer in many cases on 

the NCLEX. Remember the guidelines: Assess, 

Assess, Assess. Choose answers that require 

further assessment before contacting someone else on the NCLEX questions. Basically, collect more data and factual information before calling 

in other healthcare professionals.

Finally, think safety with all types of patient care on the NCLEX. If equipment breaks down and 

the patient is in trouble, work on solving the patient’s problems before getting someone else to 

fix the equipment. Let maintenance deal with the 

equipment mess and focus on getting the patient 

in a safe environment. The NCLEX is attempting 

to determine competencies related to all of the 

above situations.