ISCALA Nursing Lecture: Understanding PNLA Questions

Importance of Understanding PNLA Questions

• Key to success in PNLA and NCLEX is understanding the question itself before considering the options.
• PNLA questions are similar to examination questions in nursing school.
• Nursing school exams (objective type, enumeration, etc.) prepare students for PNLA.
• Nursing schools may pose harder questions than PNLA to better prepare students.

Familiarity with PNLA Questions

• Essential to know the types of PNLA questions and what they are asking for.
• Each PNLA question is a building block towards the overall examination.
• First step towards success: understanding the question itself.

Parts of a PNLA Question

• Every question has two parts:
  • Body (Hint)
    • Provides the story, cues, or clues (e.g., patient’s condition, vital signs).
    • Usually longer and offers context.
  • Lead
    • The question proper, usually found at the end.
    • Dependent on the body for context.

Example

1. Body: A newly admitted male client was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.
2. Lead: Which nursing diagnosis should receive the highest priority?

Different Types of Questions

• Objective Type
  • Asks for facts (e.g., What is the first sign of placental separation? - Calin sign).
• Therapeutic Communication (Theom)
  • Asks for the best response (e.g., Which of the following is the best response by the nurse?).
• First Action
  • Asks for the first or next action to be taken (e.g., What is the priority nursing action?).
• Degree Based
  • Asks for most or least important (e.g., Which of the following is least priority?).
• Unique Questions
  • Contains exceptions (e.g., The following are types of cancer except).
• True or False
  • Asks to determine if statements are true or false (e.g., Which of the following is true about nursing?).
• Mathematical
  • Involves computations (e.g., medication doses, IV fluids).
  • Simple calculators allowed in exams.
• Select All That Apply (SAT)
  • Enumeration of true or false options related to the question (e.g., Which of the following is a positive sign of pregnancy? Select all that apply).

Important Considerations

• Body and lead must be congruent and work together.
• Avoid skipping the body and directly proceeding to the lead unless time is critical.
• Some questions may lack a body and present only the lead.

Top Notch Note

• SAT questions are essentially true or false questions for each option.
• Understanding the question types helps in better attacking each question.
• Further discussions on these in session three.

Conclusion

• Understanding parts and types of questions is crucial for exam success.
• Further sessions will continue to build on this knowledge.
• Thank you and have a good day.