National Certification Exam Candidates

NCSN Online Study Group – Week 5: Special Health Issues

Fall 2025 Exam Information

Thinking of testing this Fall? Be sure to review the key dates:

• Fall Testing Window: October 23 – November 23, 2025
• Application Window: Closed

Visit www.nbcsn.org to begin your application and download the Fall 2025 Candidate Handbook.

Updated Exam Content Outline – Summer 2025 and Beyond

As a result of the 2023 Job Task Analysis (JTA), the NBCSN streamlined and reorganized the Exam Content Outline (ECO) beginning with the Summer 2025 exam. The exam still covers the same essential content-just better organized into four updated domains:

New Exam Content Domains & Number of Questions

Reading Assignments – Week 5

Hopefully, this feels familiar to the members of this group.  Successfully passing the exam is experience, preparation, and test-taking strategies.  These weeks have flown by! We have one more week to go.

School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Cogan, 2020

• Chapter 6: Special Health Issues
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 6

NEW BOOK, AVAILABLE NOW: School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Knox, 2025

• Chapter 6: Special Health Issues
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 6

School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Selekman, Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Third Edition

·       Chapters 7, 8 – 10, 21 – 30, 31 – 35

NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Fourth Edition

• Chapters TBD

This Week's Assignment - Reflection Prompt

How does the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensure that students with chronic health conditions receive appropriate health services at school, and what is the school nurse's role in developing and implementing the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan?

I continue my quest to find multiple-choice study questions that are specific to school nursing.  Here is a link to an online sample test through the generous State of Illinois!  This is helpful because it is an online version and is similar to the NBCSN test experience.  Some of the questions are specific to Illinois regulations, but others are more global questions for practice.

*Don't forget the NBCSN Practice Tests available singly or in a bundle of two. Each computerized test has 75 multiple-choice questions with a rationale for the answers. You can access them through your application page or go to www.nbcsn.org and click on the orange Login button on the top right.*
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you taken advantage of the Free Test Taking Strategies on NurseBuilders?

Test-taking strategies continued.....Nurselabs 11 Test-taking strategies

10. Be Alert to Relevant Information From Earlier Questions

Occasionally, remembering information from one question may provide you with a clue for answering a later question. For example:

A client has an intestinal tube inserted for the treatment of intestinal obstruction. Intestinal suction can result in excessive loss of:

1.        Protein enzymes

2.        Energy carbohydrates

3.        Water and electrolytes

4.        Vitamins and minerals

You determined that the correct answer to this question was option 3, it may help you to answer a later question. For example:

Critical assessment of a client with intestinal suction should include observation for:

1. Edema
2. Nausea
3. Belching
4. Dehydration

The correct answer is option 4. If you knew that excessive loss of water and electrolytes may lead to dehydration, you could have used the clue provided in the earlier question to assist you in answering the latter question.

11. Make Educated Guesses

When you are unsure about the correct answer to a question, it is better to make an educated guess than not to answer the question. You generally can eliminate one or more of the distractors by using partial knowledge and the methods just listed. The elimination process increases your chances of selecting the correct option from those remaining. Elimination of two distractors on a four-option multiple-choice item increases your probability of selecting the correct answer from 25% to 50%.
_____________________________________________________________________

Here are 10 clear multiple-choice test-taking strategies including a link to the full document to download if you would like to read further:

A basic 10-step test-taking strategy
1. Know the rules and follow instructions.
2. Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Don't rush and assume you "get it" before you read the whole thing; you could miss a keyword or important detail.
3. For particularly long questions first read the last sentence of the stem (i.e., the actual question) so you know where the question is going and can more effectively evaluate the information provided.
4. Try to predict the correct answer before looking at the options.
5. Match your predicted answer to the options provided.
6. If your response is there, read each of the other options before making your final selection to make sure there isn't a better response, then mark your answer and move to the next question.
7. If your response is not there, re-read the question and proceed to ruling-out incorrect options (distractors).
8. If you're stuck, re-read the question; don't just keep reading the options. The correct answer follows from the information in the question stem, so always go back to the question.
9. If you're still stuck, take your best guess, mark the question, and move on.
10. Double-check your answer selections.

Click the link below for a guide to multiple-choice exam questions:

UNC - The Learning Center/ Tips and Tools for Multiple Choice Exams

Let's Collaborate

Have a question about the content? Post it in the discussion! Refer to questions by chapter, number, and letter (e.g., Chapter 2, Question 4, Answer C).

Please do not copy questions or answers verbatim due to copyright.

Final Thoughts – You've Got This!

As we begin this journey together, remember: you're not alone. Whether this is your first time preparing for a certification exam or a return to formal study, know that this process is a powerful step forward in your professional growth.

This isn't just about passing a test-it's about strengthening your ability to support your students, advocate for health equity, and shine in your role as a leader in school nursing.

You've already taken a big step by showing up. Stay curious, stay committed, and lean on each other throughout this journey. I'm here to support you every step of the way.

You are more than capable. Let's do this - together.

Chapter 6 review question #2 I would not have chosen answer c. The question is asking about those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder so why would I choose answer c? Please explain. Thank you,

Christine

NCSN Online Study Group – Week 5: Special Health Issues

Fall 2025 Exam Information

Thinking of testing this Fall? Be sure to review the key dates:

• Fall Testing Window: October 23 – November 23, 2025
• Application Window: Closed

Visit www.nbcsn.org to begin your application and download the Fall 2025 Candidate Handbook.

Updated Exam Content Outline – Summer 2025 and Beyond

As a result of the 2023 Job Task Analysis (JTA), the NBCSN streamlined and reorganized the Exam Content Outline (ECO) beginning with the Summer 2025 exam. The exam still covers the same essential content-just better organized into four updated domains:

New Exam Content Domains & Number of Questions

Reading Assignments – Week 5

Hopefully, this feels familiar to the members of this group.  Successfully passing the exam is experience, preparation, and test-taking strategies.  These weeks have flown by! We have one more week to go.

School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Cogan, 2020

• Chapter 6: Special Health Issues
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 6

NEW BOOK, AVAILABLE NOW: School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Knox, 2025

• Chapter 6: Special Health Issues
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 6

School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Selekman, Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Third Edition

·       Chapters 7, 8 – 10, 21 – 30, 31 – 35

NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Fourth Edition

• Chapters TBD

This Week's Assignment - Reflection Prompt

How does the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensure that students with chronic health conditions receive appropriate health services at school, and what is the school nurse's role in developing and implementing the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan?

I continue my quest to find multiple-choice study questions that are specific to school nursing.  Here is a link to an online sample test through the generous State of Illinois!  This is helpful because it is an online version and is similar to the NBCSN test experience.  Some of the questions are specific to Illinois regulations, but others are more global questions for practice.

*Don't forget the NBCSN Practice Tests available singly or in a bundle of two. Each computerized test has 75 multiple-choice questions with a rationale for the answers. You can access them through your application page or go to www.nbcsn.org and click on the orange Login button on the top right.*
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you taken advantage of the Free Test Taking Strategies on NurseBuilders?

Test-taking strategies continued.....Nurselabs 11 Test-taking strategies

10. Be Alert to Relevant Information From Earlier Questions

Occasionally, remembering information from one question may provide you with a clue for answering a later question. For example:

A client has an intestinal tube inserted for the treatment of intestinal obstruction. Intestinal suction can result in excessive loss of:

1.        Protein enzymes

2.        Energy carbohydrates

3.        Water and electrolytes

4.        Vitamins and minerals

You determined that the correct answer to this question was option 3, it may help you to answer a later question. For example:

Critical assessment of a client with intestinal suction should include observation for:

1. Edema
2. Nausea
3. Belching
4. Dehydration

The correct answer is option 4. If you knew that excessive loss of water and electrolytes may lead to dehydration, you could have used the clue provided in the earlier question to assist you in answering the latter question.

11. Make Educated Guesses

When you are unsure about the correct answer to a question, it is better to make an educated guess than not to answer the question. You generally can eliminate one or more of the distractors by using partial knowledge and the methods just listed. The elimination process increases your chances of selecting the correct option from those remaining. Elimination of two distractors on a four-option multiple-choice item increases your probability of selecting the correct answer from 25% to 50%.
_____________________________________________________________________

Here are 10 clear multiple-choice test-taking strategies including a link to the full document to download if you would like to read further:

A basic 10-step test-taking strategy
1. Know the rules and follow instructions.
2. Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Don't rush and assume you "get it" before you read the whole thing; you could miss a keyword or important detail.
3. For particularly long questions first read the last sentence of the stem (i.e., the actual question) so you know where the question is going and can more effectively evaluate the information provided.
4. Try to predict the correct answer before looking at the options.
5. Match your predicted answer to the options provided.
6. If your response is there, read each of the other options before making your final selection to make sure there isn't a better response, then mark your answer and move to the next question.
7. If your response is not there, re-read the question and proceed to ruling-out incorrect options (distractors).
8. If you're stuck, re-read the question; don't just keep reading the options. The correct answer follows from the information in the question stem, so always go back to the question.
9. If you're still stuck, take your best guess, mark the question, and move on.
10. Double-check your answer selections.

Click the link below for a guide to multiple-choice exam questions:

UNC - The Learning Center/ Tips and Tools for Multiple Choice Exams

Let's Collaborate

Have a question about the content? Post it in the discussion! Refer to questions by chapter, number, and letter (e.g., Chapter 2, Question 4, Answer C).

Please do not copy questions or answers verbatim due to copyright.

Final Thoughts – You've Got This!

As we begin this journey together, remember: you're not alone. Whether this is your first time preparing for a certification exam or a return to formal study, know that this process is a powerful step forward in your professional growth.

This isn't just about passing a test-it's about strengthening your ability to support your students, advocate for health equity, and shine in your role as a leader in school nursing.

You've already taken a big step by showing up. Stay curious, stay committed, and lean on each other throughout this journey. I'm here to support you every step of the way.

You are more than capable. Let's do this - together.

No other options are accurate. While not a great answer for the question, it is the ONLY answer that is accurate.

Chapter 6 review question #2 I would not have chosen answer c. The question is asking about those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder so why would I choose answer c? Please explain. Thank you,

Christine

NCSN Online Study Group – Week 5: Special Health Issues

Fall 2025 Exam Information

Thinking of testing this Fall? Be sure to review the key dates:

• Fall Testing Window: October 23 – November 23, 2025
• Application Window: Closed

Visit www.nbcsn.org to begin your application and download the Fall 2025 Candidate Handbook.

Updated Exam Content Outline – Summer 2025 and Beyond

As a result of the 2023 Job Task Analysis (JTA), the NBCSN streamlined and reorganized the Exam Content Outline (ECO) beginning with the Summer 2025 exam. The exam still covers the same essential content-just better organized into four updated domains:

New Exam Content Domains & Number of Questions

Reading Assignments – Week 5

Hopefully, this feels familiar to the members of this group.  Successfully passing the exam is experience, preparation, and test-taking strategies.  These weeks have flown by! We have one more week to go.

School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Cogan, 2020

• Chapter 6: Special Health Issues
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 6

NEW BOOK, AVAILABLE NOW: School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Knox, 2025

• Chapter 6: Special Health Issues
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 6

School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Selekman, Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Third Edition

·       Chapters 7, 8 – 10, 21 – 30, 31 – 35

NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Fourth Edition

• Chapters TBD

This Week's Assignment - Reflection Prompt

How does the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensure that students with chronic health conditions receive appropriate health services at school, and what is the school nurse's role in developing and implementing the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan?

I continue my quest to find multiple-choice study questions that are specific to school nursing.  Here is a link to an online sample test through the generous State of Illinois!  This is helpful because it is an online version and is similar to the NBCSN test experience.  Some of the questions are specific to Illinois regulations, but others are more global questions for practice.

*Don't forget the NBCSN Practice Tests available singly or in a bundle of two. Each computerized test has 75 multiple-choice questions with a rationale for the answers. You can access them through your application page or go to www.nbcsn.org and click on the orange Login button on the top right.*
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you taken advantage of the Free Test Taking Strategies on NurseBuilders?

Test-taking strategies continued.....Nurselabs 11 Test-taking strategies

10. Be Alert to Relevant Information From Earlier Questions

Occasionally, remembering information from one question may provide you with a clue for answering a later question. For example:

A client has an intestinal tube inserted for the treatment of intestinal obstruction. Intestinal suction can result in excessive loss of:

1.        Protein enzymes

2.        Energy carbohydrates

3.        Water and electrolytes

4.        Vitamins and minerals

You determined that the correct answer to this question was option 3, it may help you to answer a later question. For example:

Critical assessment of a client with intestinal suction should include observation for:

1. Edema
2. Nausea
3. Belching
4. Dehydration

The correct answer is option 4. If you knew that excessive loss of water and electrolytes may lead to dehydration, you could have used the clue provided in the earlier question to assist you in answering the latter question.

11. Make Educated Guesses

When you are unsure about the correct answer to a question, it is better to make an educated guess than not to answer the question. You generally can eliminate one or more of the distractors by using partial knowledge and the methods just listed. The elimination process increases your chances of selecting the correct option from those remaining. Elimination of two distractors on a four-option multiple-choice item increases your probability of selecting the correct answer from 25% to 50%.
_____________________________________________________________________

Here are 10 clear multiple-choice test-taking strategies including a link to the full document to download if you would like to read further:

A basic 10-step test-taking strategy
1. Know the rules and follow instructions.
2. Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Don't rush and assume you "get it" before you read the whole thing; you could miss a keyword or important detail.
3. For particularly long questions first read the last sentence of the stem (i.e., the actual question) so you know where the question is going and can more effectively evaluate the information provided.
4. Try to predict the correct answer before looking at the options.
5. Match your predicted answer to the options provided.
6. If your response is there, read each of the other options before making your final selection to make sure there isn't a better response, then mark your answer and move to the next question.
7. If your response is not there, re-read the question and proceed to ruling-out incorrect options (distractors).
8. If you're stuck, re-read the question; don't just keep reading the options. The correct answer follows from the information in the question stem, so always go back to the question.
9. If you're still stuck, take your best guess, mark the question, and move on.
10. Double-check your answer selections.

Click the link below for a guide to multiple-choice exam questions:

UNC - The Learning Center/ Tips and Tools for Multiple Choice Exams

Let's Collaborate

Have a question about the content? Post it in the discussion! Refer to questions by chapter, number, and letter (e.g., Chapter 2, Question 4, Answer C).

Please do not copy questions or answers verbatim due to copyright.

Final Thoughts – You've Got This!

As we begin this journey together, remember: you're not alone. Whether this is your first time preparing for a certification exam or a return to formal study, know that this process is a powerful step forward in your professional growth.

This isn't just about passing a test-it's about strengthening your ability to support your students, advocate for health equity, and shine in your role as a leader in school nursing.

You've already taken a big step by showing up. Stay curious, stay committed, and lean on each other throughout this journey. I'm here to support you every step of the way.

You are more than capable. Let's do this - together.