NZ NURSING 2026/2027
NZ NURSING STATE EXAM Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions | 100% Verified – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
EXAMINATION
Q1: A registered nurse is caring for a Māori patient who has just been admitted to the medical
ward. The patient expresses a desire for their whānau to be present during the admission
assessment. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
A. Explain that visiting hours are restricted and whānau must wait in the waiting area
B. Allow whānau to remain with the patient and integrate them into the admission process
C. Ask the whānau to leave so the patient can complete the admission paperwork privately
D. Inform the patient that only immediate family members can stay during assessments
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Te Tiriti o Waitangi principle of partnership requires nurses to respect whānau
involvement in care. The Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) Code of Conduct supports
culturally responsive care that acknowledges the importance of whānau in Māori health and
wellbeing.
Q2: A nurse is administering digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The patient's apical pulse
is 52 beats per minute. What is the CORRECT nursing action?
A. Administer the digoxin as prescribed
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the prescribing provider
C. Administer half the prescribed dose
D. Recheck the pulse in 30 minutes and administer if unchanged
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
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, NZ NURSING 2026/2027
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is below 60 bpm in adults. This follows NZ
medication safety standards requiring assessment before administration of high-alert
medications. The prescriber must be notified for further orders.
Q3: A Māori patient is hesitant to discuss their health concerns with the nurse. The patient
avoids eye contact and speaks softly. According to cultural safety principles, the nurse should:
A. Ask direct questions to obtain the necessary health information
B. Document that the patient is non-compliant with the assessment
C. Take time to build rapport and acknowledge cultural communication preferences
D. Request a different nurse to complete the assessment
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Cultural safety, as developed by Irihapeti Ramsden, requires nurses to recognise and
respect cultural differences in communication. Māori may avoid direct eye contact as a sign of
respect. The nurse must adapt their approach to build trust and partnership consistent with Te
Tiriti o Waitangi.
Q4: A patient with type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 3.2 mmol/L. The patient is
conscious but confused. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?
A. Administer 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate orally
B. Administer glucagon subcutaneously
C. Administer 50% dextrose IV
D. Recheck blood glucose in 15 minutes
Correct Answer: A [CORRECT]
Rationale: For a conscious hypoglycaemic patient, 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., glucose
gel or juice) is the first-line treatment following NZ diabetes management protocols. IV dextrose
is reserved for unconscious patients or those unable to swallow safely.
Q5: A newly registered nurse is reviewing the NCNZ competencies. Which domain includes
the responsibility to "maintain professional boundaries"?
A. Domain 1: Professional responsibility
B. Domain 2: Management of nursing care
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, NZ NURSING 2026/2027
C. Domain 3: Interpersonal relationships
D. Domain 4: Interprofessional health care
Correct Answer: A [CORRECT]
Rationale: Domain 1 of the NCNZ competencies addresses professional responsibility, which
includes maintaining professional boundaries, accountability, and ethical practice as defined by
the NCNZ Code of Conduct.
Q6: SCENARIO: Post-operative Care
A 72-year-old Pākehā patient is 4 hours post-operative following a total hip replacement. The
patient has an IV infusion of normal saline running at 125 mL/hr, a patient-controlled analgesia
(PCA) pump with morphine, and a urinary catheter. The patient reports severe pain of 8/10
despite using the PCA.
Q6: What is the nurse's PRIORITY action?
A. Increase the PCA dose
B. Assess the surgical site and neurovascular status
C. Administer paracetamol as a PRN analgesic
D. Document the pain score and reassess in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Assessment is the priority before intervention. The nurse must assess for
complications such as compartment syndrome or surgical site issues that may explain
inadequate pain relief. This follows the nursing process and NCNZ competency Domain 2.
Q7: The patient's oxygen saturation drops to 90% on room air. What is the FIRST action?
A. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Perform a respiratory assessment
C. Notify the medical team immediately
D. Check the pulse oximeter probe placement
Correct Answer: D [CORRECT]
3
NZ NURSING STATE EXAM Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions | 100% Verified – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
EXAMINATION
Q1: A registered nurse is caring for a Māori patient who has just been admitted to the medical
ward. The patient expresses a desire for their whānau to be present during the admission
assessment. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
A. Explain that visiting hours are restricted and whānau must wait in the waiting area
B. Allow whānau to remain with the patient and integrate them into the admission process
C. Ask the whānau to leave so the patient can complete the admission paperwork privately
D. Inform the patient that only immediate family members can stay during assessments
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Te Tiriti o Waitangi principle of partnership requires nurses to respect whānau
involvement in care. The Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) Code of Conduct supports
culturally responsive care that acknowledges the importance of whānau in Māori health and
wellbeing.
Q2: A nurse is administering digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The patient's apical pulse
is 52 beats per minute. What is the CORRECT nursing action?
A. Administer the digoxin as prescribed
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the prescribing provider
C. Administer half the prescribed dose
D. Recheck the pulse in 30 minutes and administer if unchanged
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
1
, NZ NURSING 2026/2027
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is below 60 bpm in adults. This follows NZ
medication safety standards requiring assessment before administration of high-alert
medications. The prescriber must be notified for further orders.
Q3: A Māori patient is hesitant to discuss their health concerns with the nurse. The patient
avoids eye contact and speaks softly. According to cultural safety principles, the nurse should:
A. Ask direct questions to obtain the necessary health information
B. Document that the patient is non-compliant with the assessment
C. Take time to build rapport and acknowledge cultural communication preferences
D. Request a different nurse to complete the assessment
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Cultural safety, as developed by Irihapeti Ramsden, requires nurses to recognise and
respect cultural differences in communication. Māori may avoid direct eye contact as a sign of
respect. The nurse must adapt their approach to build trust and partnership consistent with Te
Tiriti o Waitangi.
Q4: A patient with type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 3.2 mmol/L. The patient is
conscious but confused. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?
A. Administer 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate orally
B. Administer glucagon subcutaneously
C. Administer 50% dextrose IV
D. Recheck blood glucose in 15 minutes
Correct Answer: A [CORRECT]
Rationale: For a conscious hypoglycaemic patient, 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., glucose
gel or juice) is the first-line treatment following NZ diabetes management protocols. IV dextrose
is reserved for unconscious patients or those unable to swallow safely.
Q5: A newly registered nurse is reviewing the NCNZ competencies. Which domain includes
the responsibility to "maintain professional boundaries"?
A. Domain 1: Professional responsibility
B. Domain 2: Management of nursing care
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, NZ NURSING 2026/2027
C. Domain 3: Interpersonal relationships
D. Domain 4: Interprofessional health care
Correct Answer: A [CORRECT]
Rationale: Domain 1 of the NCNZ competencies addresses professional responsibility, which
includes maintaining professional boundaries, accountability, and ethical practice as defined by
the NCNZ Code of Conduct.
Q6: SCENARIO: Post-operative Care
A 72-year-old Pākehā patient is 4 hours post-operative following a total hip replacement. The
patient has an IV infusion of normal saline running at 125 mL/hr, a patient-controlled analgesia
(PCA) pump with morphine, and a urinary catheter. The patient reports severe pain of 8/10
despite using the PCA.
Q6: What is the nurse's PRIORITY action?
A. Increase the PCA dose
B. Assess the surgical site and neurovascular status
C. Administer paracetamol as a PRN analgesic
D. Document the pain score and reassess in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Assessment is the priority before intervention. The nurse must assess for
complications such as compartment syndrome or surgical site issues that may explain
inadequate pain relief. This follows the nursing process and NCNZ competency Domain 2.
Q7: The patient's oxygen saturation drops to 90% on room air. What is the FIRST action?
A. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Perform a respiratory assessment
C. Notify the medical team immediately
D. Check the pulse oximeter probe placement
Correct Answer: D [CORRECT]
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