Test Plan Structure
The framework of Client Needs is used for the NCLEX-RN? examination because it provides a universal structure for defining nursing actions and competencies across all settings for all clients. The following concepts and processes fundamental to the practice of nursing are integrated throughout the four major categories of Client Needs: Nursing Process, Caring, Communication, Cultural Awareness, Documentation, Self Care, and Teaching/Learning.
Client Needs
Four major categories of Client Needs organize the content of the NCLEX-RN? Test Plan. These client needs are further divided into subcategories that define the content contained within each of the four major Client Needs categories. These categories and subcategories as well as the percentage of test questions allocated to each subcategory are described below.
A. Safe, Effective Care Environment
1. Management of Care (7-13% of the test questions) - providing integrated, cost-effective care to clients by coordinating, supervising and/or collaborating with members of the multi-disciplinary health care team.
Related content includes but is not limited to: Advance Directives; Advocacy; Case Management; Client Rights; Concepts of Management; Confidentiality; Continuity of Care; Continuous Quality Improvement; Delegation; Ethical Practice; Incident/Irregular Occurrence/Variance Reports; Informed Consent; Legal Responsibilities; Organ Donation; Consultation and Referrals; Resource Management; and Supervision.
To prepare for this subcategory, you may want to review information contained in, but not limited to, nursing textbooks addressing leadership and management, ethical/legal issues, medical/surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, and maternal/child nursing.
2. Safety and Infection Control (5-11% of the test questions) - protecting clients and health care personnel from environmental hazards.
Related content includes but is not limited to: Accident Prevention; Disaster Planning; Error Prevention; Handling Hazardous and Infectious Materials; Medical and Surgical Asepsis; Standard (Universal) and Other Precautions; and Use of Restraints.
To prepare for this subcategory you may want to review information contained in, but not limited to, nursing textbooks addressing fundamentals of nursing and medical/surgical nursing.
B. Health Promotion And Maintenance
3. Growth and Development Through the Life Span (7-13% of the test questions) - assisting the client and significant others through the normal expected stages of growth and development from conception through advanced old age.
Related content includes but is not limited to: Aging Process; Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn; Developmental Stages and Transitions; Expected Body Image Changes; Family Planning; Family Systems; and Human Sexuality.
To prepare for this subcategory, you may want to review information contained in, but not limited to, nursing textbooks addressing maternal/child nursing, obstetrical nursing, pediatric nursing, geriatric and/or gerontological nursing, and caring for families.
4. Prevention and Early Detection of Disease (5-11% of the test questions) - managing and providing care for clients in need of prevention and early detection of health problems.
Related content includes but is not limited to: Disease Prevention; Health and Wellness; Health Promotion Programs; Health Screening; Immunizations; Lifestyle Choices; and Techniques of Physical Assessment.
To prepare for this subcategory, you may want to review information contained in, but not limited to, nursing textbooks addressing health and/or wellness promotion, community nursing concepts, and physical assessment.
C. Psychosocial Integrity
5. Coping and Adaptation (5-11% of the test questions) - promoting client's ability to cope, adapt and/or problem solve situations related to illnesses or stressful events.
Related content includes but is not limited to: Coping Mechanisms; Counseling Techniques; Grief and Loss; Mental Health Concepts; Religious and Spiritual Influences on Health; Sensory/Perceptual Alterations; Situational Role Changes; Stress Management; Support Systems; and Unexpected Body Image Changes.
To prepare for this subcategory, you may want to review information contained in, but not limited to, nursing textbooks addressing mental health, health promotion, religious and spiritual beliefs, and stress.
6. Psychosocial Adaptation (5-11% of the test questions) - managing and providing care for clients with acute or chronic mental illnesses.
Related content includes but is not limited to: Behavioral Interventions; Chemical Dependency; Child Abuse/Neglect; Crisis Intervention; Domestic Violence; Elder Abuse/Neglect; Psychopathology; Sexual Abuse; and Therapeutic Milieu.
To prepare for this subcategory, you may want to review information contained in, but not limited to, nursing textbooks addressing mental illness, psychiatric nursing, therapeutic communication, and crisis intervention.