THE EVER POPULAR LAST MINUTE TIPS FOR

NURSING LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS

In NP1, Please FOCUS on the following:

1. Types of leadership: Autocratic, Laissez faire, Democratic, transformational, transactional etc. etc.

2. Pattern of Nursing care: Primary nursing, case nursing, functional, team etc.

3. Expanded Nursing role: Nurse anesthetist, Nurse practitioner, Nurse researcher etc. etc.

4. Levels of prevention by Leavell and Clark. Remember that crisis is always secondary.

5. 3 way bottle system: simply reconnect the tube, continuous bubble is a sign of leakage, no bubbling
is obstruction [in the waterseal] and you should palpate the surrounding area for subcutaneous
emphysema.

6. Care of clients with tracheostomy and suctioning a tracheostomy tube [sterile technique] know the
functions of the cuff, obturator and the tie. care of clients with pooling of secretions. Postural
drainage: do this before meals, the positioning depending on the location of secretion, POPEVICO
[arrangement] that is positioning, percussing, vibrating and coughing etc. study suctioning.

7. The independent and the dependent variable in research

8. Know your PURE and APPLIED as well as EXPERIMENTAL and NON-EXPERIMENTAL also
your QUANTITATIVE and QUALITATIVE designs

9. IV fluid tonicity: D5LR is hypertonic while LR is isotonic

10. Complication of IV and its intervention such as FLUID OVERLOAD, PHLEBITIS,

INFILTRATION.

11. Blood transfusion

12. Complication of immobility: DECUBITUS ULCER, HYPO PNEUMONIA, ATELECTASIS,

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

13. The VIRTUE ETHICS and ETHICS: Justice, fortitude, prudence, temperance, character, double
effect,
paternalism... etc etc and the Patient's bill of right.

15. Teaching and learning steps: Man initially needs information and MOTIVATION is needed for
adherence to teaching. First step in teaching is to ASSESS LEARNING NEEDS before planning
what to teach.

16. SAFETY: Causes of injuries according to age eg: elderly = falls, infant = suffocation and
aspiration, adolescence = suicide and homicide. Intervention in an elderly client who falls frequently
= keep the bed at the lowest possible position. etc.

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 18. BON RESOLUTION 220 [CODE OF ETHICS] RA 9173 AND 7164 [COMPARE AND
CONTRAST] and the CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION. [To enhance knowledge
with regard to specific field of interest]

NP2

1. Stages of labor. The first stage up to the fourth stage and the LATENT ACTIVE AND
TRANSITION of the first stage. study the intervention in all stages. Read pilleteri for this.

2. The menstrual cycle, what glands secret what hormones. The MENSTRUAL, PROLIFERATIVE,
SECRETORY and ISCHEMIC phase. what hormone is at peak during what stage. etc. etc.

3. Causes of bleeding during pregnancy: Ectopic, abruptio and previa plus their nursing intervention.

4. Endometriosis and Endometritis.

5. IMCI : Pneumonia, Diarrhea and Dengue especially the breathing cut off [Eg. 60 for under 2
months],
Acute/Chronic cutoff [Acute diarrhea and ear infection under 14 days]. The interventions for CHILD
A, B and C.

6. COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PROCESS: Assessment, Planning, Implementation and

Evaluation. refer to the DOH book please read this one.

7. Managerial principles. PODC. Types of budgets. Direct, indirect, cash, capital, operational
budgets.

8. Read pilleteri for : Characteristic of a toddler and preschool [ eg : asking too many questions,
negativistic for toddler. Preschool = associative, imaginary, see the world on his own point of view,
superego development etc.]

9. POISONING: Lead, aspirin, etc. etc. this is the common cause of accident among toddlers.

10. Leukemia, Anemia and Sickle cell anemia, chemotherapy for pediatric clients.

11. NEWBORN SCREENING

12. Amniocentesis = VOID, Ultrasonography = DRINK, Leopolds Maneuver = VOID, Paracentesis =

VOID

13. Changes during pregnancy [eg: Leukorrhea, braxton hicks, anemia] and what changes occurs
early or late. Refer to Pillitteri

14. Pregnancy and nutrition: Balanced diet + 300 cal for pregnant. +500 cal for breastfeeding

15. PIH and MAGNESIUM SULFATE. [cns down, rr down, u/o down ] priority : RR

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 NP3 AND NP4

1. Burns, Classification of Burns and Nursing Diagnosis for Burns, Drug use in burns [Silver
Sulfadiazine],
Electrolyte changes in burn [Hyperkalemia, Hyponatermia]. The WHO Pain ladder scale, Pain
medications especially Demerol, Morphine and Fentanyl. Remember that PAIN is the hardest part for
the nurse in caring for a burned victim. Burn wounds heal by secondary intention.

2. Nursing diagnosis after anesthesia : RISK FOR INFECTION or INEFFECTIVE AIR

CLEARANCE.

3. PACU MONITORING = Q15 , SURGICAL FLOOR MONITORING = Q30

4. Pancreatitis, Cholecystitis, Hepatitis. Morphine causes spasms in the sphincter of oddi. Hepa B is
caused by blood exchange. Hepa A is oro-fecal. both have vaccines either passive or active but if
already exposed, Give PASSIVE.

5. Diabetes mellitus, Metformin and contrast medium [stop metformin due to renal toxicity], Insulin
rotation and administration, diabetes r/t footcare. Avoid wearing canvass shoes, check for the
sensation, do not go outside without slippers. PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY. OHA drugs.

6. Electrolytes abnormality especially HYPOCALCEMIA and HYPER/HYPOKALEMIA. The ECG

changes in potassium alteration, intervention and causes.

7. Myocardial infarction : ECG changes as well as nursing intervention. Causes and risk factors.
Refer to BRUNNER.

8. Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic pain relief : Guided imagery, Biofeedback, Intrathecal [into
the spinal canal directly to mix with csf] and epidural [ into the epidural space ] pain management.
side effects of morphine in elderly = PRURITUS and ALLERGIC RXN and RR DEPRESSION.
Reason for intrathecal admininstration = prevent Blood brain barrier.

9. BREAST and CERVICAL cancer. Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment.

10. Management for a client with COLOSTOMY. The irrigation, diet and body image alteration as
well as perioperative management of a client undergoing your ABDOMINAL PERINEAL
RESECTION with permanent colostomy. Drugs given before APR such as neomycin and
sulfasuzidine, Diet before APR [low fiber], normal color of the stoma just after APR [slightly
bleeding, red and protruding]

11. Insulin administration, types and rotation. Refer to brunner. 1 inch away from each injection site,
administer at room temp not cold to prevent lipodystrophy, abdomen has the fastest absorption. etc.
etc.

12. Interventions during hypo- and hyperglycemia

13. Care of clients with hyper- and hypothyroidism, study TAPAZOLE/METHIMAZOLE and
LUGOL'S SOLUTION, PTU. Care of clients after thyroidectomy: Monitor for hypocalcemia teach
clients HEAD SUPPORT by putting hands at the back of the neck before trying to move the head.

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 14. Tuberculosis and Leprosy, its early / late sign and symptoms.

15. Acute and Chronic renal failure. Causes [Post/pre/intra] and hemodialysis.

16. AGN, Rheumathoid and Ostearthritis, Bell's Palsy and Trigeminal neuralgia

17. Study radiation and chemotherapy and their usual side effects [Skin burn, redness, do not wet
radiation mark]. Mammography, BSE, TSE, DRE, Prostate and Colon cancer, Changes that occurs
during elderly, Bladder, Colon and Cervical cancer Diagnostic examination/CEA,
Proctosigmoidoscopy, Biopsy, Pap smear.

18. Laryngeal cancer and tracheostomy care. [refer to Kozier for tracheostomy care]

NP5

1. In your Test V study the following: Anxiety and anxiety disorders, The level of anxiety and your
anxiolytics, Schizophrenia: Paranoid type and Catatonic type and your nursing interventions for these
clients as well as your priority nursing diagnosis.

2. Depression and your antidepressants, Mania, Personality disorders especially your Antisocial,
Borderline and Paranoid. The defense mechanism use for different types of disorders and the priority
NURSING DIAGNOSIS for each psychiatric disorders, Antipsychotic drugs its side effects and
nursing intervention for each side effects.

3. Electroconvulsive therapy, Thought process disturbance manifestation such as Clang Association,

Pressured speech, Thought blocking, Word salad, perseveration etc. etc. Alteration in perception and
thought like hallucination and delusion. Types of delusions eg. religious and persecutory. Activities
and diet as well as nursing diagnosis for a client with Mania, Depressed and Alzheimer’s/Dementia
patient.

4. Eating disorders and the treatments of choice [Behavior therapy for Anorexia, Psychotherapy for
the Personality Disorders, Cognitive therapy for depression ] Always answer "STAY WITH THE
CLIENT" especially if the question is about anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Always choose an
option that will encourage verbalization of feelings, never answer an option with the word WHY.

5. Study your countertransference and your transference, Glaucoma, Cataract and crutch/cane
walking. The principles of body mechanics, cranial nerve functioning and how to assess them as well
as their disturbances especially Bells and Trigeminal Neuralgia. Meniere's disease, Delirum,
Dementia, CVA/Stroke pathophysiology and Factors.

6. Psychotherapy : Behavior therapy - aversion, operant conditioning [positive reinforcement]

systematic desensitization. Cognitive therapy is the PSYCHOTHERAPY of choice for depression.
Study therapeutic milieu - general pt management, environmental manipulation, uses democratic
leadership to test new patterns of behavior. Community meeting is the heart of milieu therapy.
Pharmacotherapy: Drug classification and side effects of ANTIPSYCHOTIC, ANXIOLYTICS,
ANTIMANIC [Tegretol, Lithium, Valproate]

7. Transfer of clients from BED to CHAIR as well as MOVING CLIENT UP IN BED [READ
KOZIER]

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 8. Supporting the client in: SUPINE [eg. prevent neck hyperextension by putting pillow], FOWLERS
[prevent posterior curvature of the spine], DORSAL RECUMBENT [prevent hyperextension of the
knee] AND SIDELYING position [Prevent lateral flexion of the sternocleidomastoid]

9. Equipments for immobility : Trochanter roll/sandbags - prevent external rotation of the hips. Pillow
to support back, head, arms and shoulders. Footboard to prevent footdrop. Trapeze bar to move the
client up in bed. Knee gatch or pillow - to slightly flex the clients knee.

10. INTRODUCE CHANGE GRADUALLY - Study methods of implementing change such as

FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS - THE DRIVING AND THE RESTRAINING FORCES, FOCUS -
FIND ORGANIZE CLARIFY UNDERSTAND SOLUTION. THE PDSA CYCLE - PLAN DO
STUDY ACT.

THE 6 TECHNICAL TIPS FOR THE BOARD EXAMINATION

1. Accept the fact that you can never know everything. Therefore, once you see an unfamiliar
question that was never been taught, use your test taking strategies.

2. If you are in Test I, II, III, and IV and you are being asked to prioritize, Use ABC first and then
Maslow's Hierarchy of needs.

3. The use of your nursing process is heralded by the word: "The Nurse Would or The nurse's initial
action"
Remember to Assess first before intervening. If the situation and the question already assessed the
patient, then proceed with the next step.

4. Encircle your modifiers. Some people make mistakes because of failure to see the word,
"EXCEPT" or "NOT" or "INAPPROPRIATE", etc. The magic words…

5. Use your questionnaires as your scratch. You can write anything on that paper. If you will skip a
number, place an asterisk or encircle the number.

6. DO NOT USE BLUNT PENCIL. Always use a sharp one and shade lightly. A sharpened pencil
will give a very dark shade even if you will shade it lightly. Use the sides of the pencil not the tip.
Use MONGOL NUMBER 2 ONLY. Some brands especially those made in china pencils are
substandard. The machine will check the lead. If you are INCONSISTENT with your shading like an
altering dark and light shades, you will FAIL the boards because of technicalities.

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 PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE THADDEUS, PATRON OF THE
IMPOSSIBLE

Most Holy Apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the church honors
and invokes you universally as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost
despaired of, pray for me. I am so helpless and alone. Intercede to God for me
that He brings visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of.

Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and
help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings particularly (here
make your request) and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever.

I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted to me
by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron and to
gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

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 PRINCIPLES OF TEST TAKING
I. PRINCIPLE OF CONTRADICTION
When two options contradict each other, there is a higher chance of one of them being the correct answer.

Example: Which physiologic effect should the nurse expect in a client taking anticholinergics?
A. Dilated pupils
B. Constricted pupils
C. Bradycardia
D. Bradypnea

II. PRINCIPLE OF COMMONALITY AND DIFFERENCE

Two or more options that have the same essential configuration and thought are unlikely the correct
answer.

Example: When injecting subcutaneous injection in an obese patient, it should be angled at around:
A. 45°
B. 90°
C. 180°
D. Parallel to the skin

III. PRINCIPLE OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

Correct answers in an all numeric options is most likely located in between the extremes.

Example: What is the KVO rate of BT?

A. 5 gtts/min
B. 9 gtts/min
C. 15 gtts/min
D. 20 gtts/min

IV. PRINCIPLE OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE HARMONY

A positive question will always ask for a positive answer and so is a negative question.

FORMULA: [-] [-] = (+) answer (even)

[-] [-] [-] = (-) answer (odd)
[+] [+] = (+) answer
[+] [-] = (-) Question

Example: All but one of the following is an Anxiolytic:

[+] [-]
A. Tranxene
B. Miltown
C. Atarax
D. Parlodel

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V. PRINCIPLE OF IMPROBABLE EXTREMES
Extreme modifiers, such as always, all, never, or only make it more likely that the question is false. Here
is a more complete list of EXTREME modifiers.
All, every, nothing, none, best, absolutely, always, never, worst, absolutely not, only, nobody, everybody,
certainly, invariably, no one, everyone, certainly not, ignore.

Example: The most effective way in limiting the number of microorganism in the hospital is:
A. Using strict aseptic technique in all procedures
B. Wearing mask and gown in care of all patients with communicable diseases
C. Sterilization of all instruments
D. Handwashing

VI. PRINCIPLE OF INITIATIVE CRITICAL THINKING

1. Cover the options
2. Read the question carefully
3. Try answering the question without looking at the options
4. Select the option that most closely matches your answer

Example: The nurse knew that the normal color of Michiel’s stoma should be:
A. Brick Red
B. Gray
C. Blue
D. Pale Pink

VII. PRINCIPLE OF GRAMMATICAL HARMONY

Options that do not coincide with the grammatical configuration of the stem is NOT the correct answer.
Choices that are grammatically incorrect or contain typographical errors are probably not the correct
answer.

Example: When planning a care for a client who is pancytopenic, The major goal should be:
A. Prevent hemorrhage, infection and decrease oxygenation
B. Administering an oral iron preparation
C. Preventing Fatigue and fluid overload
D. Encouraging a consumption of a neutropenic diet

VIII. PRINCIPLE OF UMBRELLA EFFECT

A choice that is more inclusive is usually the correct answer.

Example: To view a person holistically, the nurse should think of him or her as:
A. Physical being who experiences pathology and sociological changes
B. Social being who needs the dynamics of group interaction
C. Psychological being whose mind influences his or her health status
D. Biopsychosocial being who is in constant interaction with the environment

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IX. Principle of ABC, Maslow’s Hierarchy and Nursing Process
When questions require prioritization, these principles should apply. Keywords that indicate the need to
prioritize include:
BEST VITAL
ESSENTIAL PRIMARY
FIRST HIGHEST PRIORITY
IMMEDIATE INITIAL
MOST IMPORTANT NEXT

Example: A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a pregant client with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia.
Which nursing diagnosis, if stated on the plan of care, would the nurse select as receiving the highest
priority?
A.Anxiety
B.Ineffective coping
C.Disturbed body image
D.Deficient fluid volume

Example: When caring for Aida after a chest surgery, your priority would be to maintain:
A. Supplementary oxygen
B. Chest tube drainage
C. Blood replacement
D. Ventilation exchange

X. Principle of “Tell Me More”

In Psychiatric Nursing, Remember to focus on the client’s feeling, concerns, anxieties and fears. This is
best summarized by a response that encourages the client’s verbalization of feelings.

Example: A mother says to the nurse, “I am afraid that my child might have another seizure” Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “Why worry about something you cannot control?”
B. “Most children will never experience a second seizure”
C. “Tell me what frightens you the most about seizures.”
D. “Tylenol can prevent another seizure from occuring”

XI. Principle of Reappearing Visage

A word or phrase that appears in the question and then reappears at one of the 4 choices is the most
probable answer.

Example: A chronically ill school-age child is most vulnerable to which stressor?

A. Mutilation anxiety
B. Anticipatory grief
C. Anxiety over school absences
D. Fear of hospital procedures

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XII. The Drug Technique
Most drugs, especially psychotropic medications either act as a CNS Stimulant or a CNS depressant. The
strategy revolves in determining which are the Central nervous system excitations and which are the
Central nervous system inhibitions. If 3 of the options are all CNS up and 1 is CNS down, pick the CNS
down. If 3 of the options are all CNS down and 1 is CNS up, pick the CNS up.

Example: The nurse is assessing a client who has just been admitted to the emergency department. Which
signs would suggest an overdose of an antianxiety agent?
A. Combativeness, sweating, and confusion
B. Agitation, hyperactivity, and grandiose ideation
C. Suspiciousness, dilated pupils, and increased blood pressure
D. Emotionally blunt, lethargy and impaired memory

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