1. DECISION TREE
Can you identify the topic of the question?
1
NO
Read answer choices for
clues. Identify the topic
of the question
Proceed to Step 2
YES
Proceed to Step 2
Trap:
NCLEX “hides” the topic
of the question.
Are the answers assessments or implementations?
2
A MIX OF ASSESSMENTS
AND IMPLEMENTATION
Read stems to determine If
you should assess or
implement.
Select correct answer
ARE ANSWERS ALL
ASSESSMENT OR
IMPLEMENTATION?
Proceed to Step 3
Trap:
Is validation required?
Does Maslow’s fit?
3
NO
Are all answers physical?
Proceed to Step 4
Are all answers
psychosocial?
Proceed to Step 5
YES
Eliminate psychosocial
answers
Do the physical needs make
sense?
Apply ABCs
Trap:
Physical needs take
priority over
psychosocial needs
Are all answers physical?
4
NO
Proceed to Step 5
YES
Apply ABCs
Trap:
Don’t automatically
select respiratory
answers.
(Make sure the
answer makes sense)
What is the outcome of each of the remaining answers?
5
DETERMINE OUTCOME OF EACH
ANSWER. IS IT DESIRED?
Select correct answer
Trap:
Don’t select answers that
“sound” right.
(Make sure the answer makes
sense)