Nursing Rapid Review: NCLEX Style Questions with Picmonic

Presenter: Marley

Overview:

• Focus on mastering NCLEX style questions using Picmonic, an audiovisual learning tool for nursing students.
• Today's topic: Alcohol Awareness (in line with Alcohol Awareness Month).
• Important for healthcare providers, especially during quarantine.

Example NCLEX Question:

• Case Study: 45-year-old woman, toothless, claims to be the tooth fairy, confused, unsteady gait, strong smell of alcohol, diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
• Question: Cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
  • Options: Iron deficiency, Thiamine deficiency, Oxygen deficiency, Niacin toxicity, Vitamin B1 toxicity.

Approach to NCLEX Questions:

• First read the question and comprehend it fully.
• Recognize it as a content-based question (requires knowledge of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome).
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: Due to thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency secondary to alcohol abuse.
  • Symptoms: Vision changes, memory impairment, dementia.

Alcohol Abuse Effects (Picmonic Overview):

• CNS Depression: Alters neurologic, respiratory, and cardiac status, causes issues with speech, judgment, and muscle coordination.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Range from mild (anxiety, shakiness) to severe (seizures, delirium tremens - DTs).
• Complications:
  • GI distress, cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, immunosuppression, sexual dysfunction.
• Assessment Tools: AUDIT, CAGE for alcohol abuse screening.

Nursing Process (ADPIE):

• Assessment: Gather information about the patient’s condition.
• Diagnosis: Identify the patient’s problem(s).
• Planning: Set goals of care and desired outcomes and identify appropriate nursing actions.
• Implementation: Perform the nursing actions identified in planning.
• Evaluation: Determine if goals and expected outcomes are achieved.

Example Intervention Question:

• Case Study: 35-year-old alcoholic patient experiencing withdrawals.
• Question: Nurse’s next priority action?
  • Options: Administer naltrexone, flumazenil, N-acetylcysteine, or place in an open space.
• Key Concept: Identify if the question is asking for an assessment or an intervention.
• Interventions for Alcohol Withdrawal: Reduce environmental stimuli, anti-anxiety meds, vitamin supplements, seizure precautions, suicide precautions, treat fever, identify support systems, group therapy, administer disulfiram or naltrexone.

Tips for Answering NCLEX Questions:

• Determine if the question asks for an assessment or an intervention.
• Look for keywords:
  • Assessment: assess, collect, determine, gather information.
  • Intervention: action, next, intervene, implement.

Conclusion:

• Reiterate the importance of understanding the nursing process and recognizing keywords in questions.
• Encourage the use of Picmonic as a study aid.
• Wishes of good luck and safe practices to all students.