NHS 111 EXAM 2 2026/2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A 68-year-old patient presents with sudden onset weakness in the right arm and a slight
facial droop. According to the FAST criteria, what is the most appropriate next step?
A. Advise the patient to book an urgent GP appointment within 24 hours.
B. Refer to a local Minor Injuries Unit for further assessment.
C. Ask the patient to take an aspirin and monitor symptoms.
D. Initiate a 999 emergency response immediately.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) test is used to identify
stroke symptoms. Any positive sign in a sudden onset scenario requires an immediate 999
emergency dispatch.
2. Which of the following symptoms is considered a ‘Red Flag’ for Sepsis in an adult patient?
A. A localized skin rash that blanches under pressure.
B. A body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius.
C. New onset of confusion or altered mental state.
,D. Mild muscle aches and a productive cough.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: New onset confusion, slurred speech, or mottled skin are critical
red flags for Sepsis, requiring urgent clinical escalation.
3. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, what must be assumed about a caller before an
assessment is made?
A. The caller has capacity unless it is established that they lack it.
B. The caller lacks capacity if they are over the age of 85.
C. The caller lacks capacity if they have a history of mental illness.
D. Capacity must be proven by a medical professional before triage begins.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The first principle of the Mental Capacity Act is the presumption
of capacity. Every adult has the right to make their own decisions unless proven otherwise.
4. A 4-year-old child has a high fever and a rash that does not disappear when a glass is
pressed against it. What is the priority disposition?
A. 999 Emergency Dispatch.
B. Contact a GP for an appointment within 6 hours.
C. Advise the parent to give Ibuprofen and call back in 4 hours.
D. Refer to a community pharmacist for advice.
, Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A non-blanching rash in the presence of fever is a classic sign of
meningococcal septicaemia and is a medical emergency.
5. What does the ‘S’ stand for in the SBAR communication tool used for clinical handovers?
A. Symptoms
B. Standard
C. Situation
D. Safety
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation, a standardized framework for communicating critical information.
6. A caller reports a severe, ‘thunderclap’ headache that reached maximum intensity within
seconds. This is most suggestive of:
A. Tension-type headache
B. Acute Migraine
C. Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
D. Cluster headache
Answer: C
AND ANSWERS
1. A 68-year-old patient presents with sudden onset weakness in the right arm and a slight
facial droop. According to the FAST criteria, what is the most appropriate next step?
A. Advise the patient to book an urgent GP appointment within 24 hours.
B. Refer to a local Minor Injuries Unit for further assessment.
C. Ask the patient to take an aspirin and monitor symptoms.
D. Initiate a 999 emergency response immediately.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) test is used to identify
stroke symptoms. Any positive sign in a sudden onset scenario requires an immediate 999
emergency dispatch.
2. Which of the following symptoms is considered a ‘Red Flag’ for Sepsis in an adult patient?
A. A localized skin rash that blanches under pressure.
B. A body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius.
C. New onset of confusion or altered mental state.
,D. Mild muscle aches and a productive cough.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: New onset confusion, slurred speech, or mottled skin are critical
red flags for Sepsis, requiring urgent clinical escalation.
3. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, what must be assumed about a caller before an
assessment is made?
A. The caller has capacity unless it is established that they lack it.
B. The caller lacks capacity if they are over the age of 85.
C. The caller lacks capacity if they have a history of mental illness.
D. Capacity must be proven by a medical professional before triage begins.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The first principle of the Mental Capacity Act is the presumption
of capacity. Every adult has the right to make their own decisions unless proven otherwise.
4. A 4-year-old child has a high fever and a rash that does not disappear when a glass is
pressed against it. What is the priority disposition?
A. 999 Emergency Dispatch.
B. Contact a GP for an appointment within 6 hours.
C. Advise the parent to give Ibuprofen and call back in 4 hours.
D. Refer to a community pharmacist for advice.
, Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A non-blanching rash in the presence of fever is a classic sign of
meningococcal septicaemia and is a medical emergency.
5. What does the ‘S’ stand for in the SBAR communication tool used for clinical handovers?
A. Symptoms
B. Standard
C. Situation
D. Safety
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation, a standardized framework for communicating critical information.
6. A caller reports a severe, ‘thunderclap’ headache that reached maximum intensity within
seconds. This is most suggestive of:
A. Tension-type headache
B. Acute Migraine
C. Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
D. Cluster headache
Answer: C
