Master Strategic Words with Picmonic for Nursing RN

When there is a question that presents itself with answer options that are all correct, the need to prioritize will be essential. Examples of words that reflect the need to prioritize are first, initial and early. An example of this would be something like: “Which patient should the nurse see first?”

When there is a question that presents with itself with answer options that are all correct, the need to prioritize will be essential. “Highest priority” is one of these strategic words. An example of this would be something like: “What is the nurse’s highest priority?”

When there is a question that presents itself with answer options that are all correct, the need to prioritize will be essential. “Most appropriate” is one of these strategic words. An example of this would be something like: “Which nursing action is most appropriate?”

Words that reflect the need to assess usually point out the need to look for the option that is the initial step, as assessment is the first step in the nursing process (ADPIE). When you see the word “assess,” that is usually what you are being asked to do. An example would be something like, “Which of the following is part of the nurse’s assessment?”

Words that reflect the need to assess usually point out the need to look for the option that is the initial step, as assessment is the first step in the nursing process (ADPIE). Terms that indicate this are “collect” or “gather,” as in; “Which data does the nurse need to gather?” Answer options might include collecting both subjective and objective data from the patient and/or family.

Words that reflect the need to assess usually point out the need to look for the option that is the initial step, as assessment is the first step in the nursing process (ADPIE). Terms that indicate this are “identify” as in, “Which symptoms does the nurse identify as a characteristic of this disease?” This could even be asking you to identify abnormal information from a patient’s labs and asking you to interpret those results.

Words that reflect the need to intervene usually point out the need to look for the option that is after the assessment has been done, as interventions are initiated after the assessment portion in the nursing process (ADPIE). Terms that indicate the need to intervene are “action” or “intervention” as in; “The nurse should take which action next?” Answer options might be activities like organizing or managing care, educating, or administering meds.

Options with words that are open-ended should be choices that are considered possible correct options. These include words like, “usually,” “normally,” or “generally.”

Generally, options with words that are closed-ended (extreme or fixed meaning) should be choices that are eliminated as they are usually incorrect. These are words like, “all,” “always,” “must,” “never,” and “none.”