RCSI FNM Overseas General Nurse Aptitude Test –
Practical/OSCE & Theory Examination
Comprehensive 150-Question MCQ Bank for RN
Registration Preparation updated
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
1 Test Structure, Eligibility & Regulatory Framework 1–10
2 NMBI Domains of Competence & Professional Practice 11–20
3 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) & ANTT 21–30
4 Vital Signs, INEWS & Patient Observations 31–45
5 Cardiovascular Nursing 46–55
6 Respiratory Nursing 56–65
7 Neurological Nursing & Neurological Assessment 66–75
8 Diabetes & Endocrine Nursing 76–82
9 Wound Care & Skin Integrity 83–90
10 Medication Administration & Calculations 91–100
,Section Topic Area Questions
11 Fluid Balance, Nutrition & MUST 101–108
12 Perioperative & Post-operative Care 109–115
13 Palliative Care, End-of-Life & Death and Dying 116–122
14 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults 123–128
15 Deconditioning, Delirium, Dementia & Frailty 129–135
16 Communication, ISBAR & Documentation 136–142
17 OSCE Station Scenarios & Clinical Reasoning 143–150
SECTION 1: TEST STRUCTURE, ELIGIBILITY & REGULATORY
FRAMEWORK
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question.
Question 1
• Which of the following is the CORRECT number of OSCE stations that an applicant must
complete in the RCSI FNM Overseas General Nurse Aptitude Test practical component?
A) 10 stations
B) 12 stations
C) 14 stations
D) 16 stations
•• Correct Answer: C) 14 stations
Rationale: The RCSI FNM Aptitude Test practical component requires applicants to complete
,14 OSCE stations, each assessing different competencies. Each station is set up as a clinical
setting with all necessary equipment, and applicants spend 10 minutes at each station.
Question 2
• What is the minimum pass mark required for the Theory (MCQ) component of the RCSI FNM
Overseas General Nurse Aptitude Test?
A) 40%
B) 50%
C) 60%
D) 70%
•• Correct Answer: B) 50%
Rationale: A minimum pass mark of 50% must be achieved in the Theory Test. The theory
test must be successfully completed before the practical/OSCE part can be attempted.
Question 3
• How many questions must an applicant answer in the RCSI FNM Theory Test, and over what
duration?
A) 100 questions over 2 hours
B) 150 questions over 2.5 hours
C) 150 questions over 3 hours
D) 200 questions over 3 hours
•• Correct Answer: C) 150 questions over 3 hours
Rationale: The theory test requires candidates to answer 150 multiple-choice questions over
a three-hour period. Each question has four possible answers, and candidates must select only
one answer.
Question 4
• An applicant who fails at the first attempt of the practical part/OSCEs will be:
A) Required to repeat the entire test from the beginning
B) Required to resit only the OSCE station/s failed
C) Permitted to proceed to registration with a conditional licence
D) Required to wait 12 months before reapplication
, •• Correct Answer: B) Required to resit only the OSCE station/s failed
Rationale: An applicant who fails at the first attempt of the practical part/OSCEs will be
required to resit the OSCE station/s failed. Two attempts (including one repeat) are allowed for
each part of the test.
Question 5
• The RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas General Nurses is based on which regulatory
document?
A) WHO Nursing Standards
B) NMBI Standards and Requirements for Nurse Registration Education Programmes
C) HSE Clinical Practice Guidelines
D) European Nursing Directive 2013/55/EU
•• Correct Answer: B) NMBI Standards and Requirements for Nurse
Registration Education Programmes
Rationale: Both parts of the test are based on the NMBI Standards and Requirements for
Nurse Registration Education Programmes and reflect what a newly qualified general nurse in
the Republic of Ireland must be able to achieve.
Question 6
• To be eligible to apply for the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test, an applicant must have:
A) A valid work visa for Ireland
B) An in-date NMBI decision letter stating the General Nurses Division applies
C) A job offer from an Irish healthcare employer
D) Five years of post-registration experience
•• Correct Answer: B) An in-date NMBI decision letter stating the
General Nurses Division applies
Rationale: To be eligible to apply for the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test, applicants must have an in-
date NMBI decision letter stating that the General Nurses Division applies to their application
and that they need to successfully complete a compensation measure.
Practical/OSCE & Theory Examination
Comprehensive 150-Question MCQ Bank for RN
Registration Preparation updated
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
1 Test Structure, Eligibility & Regulatory Framework 1–10
2 NMBI Domains of Competence & Professional Practice 11–20
3 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) & ANTT 21–30
4 Vital Signs, INEWS & Patient Observations 31–45
5 Cardiovascular Nursing 46–55
6 Respiratory Nursing 56–65
7 Neurological Nursing & Neurological Assessment 66–75
8 Diabetes & Endocrine Nursing 76–82
9 Wound Care & Skin Integrity 83–90
10 Medication Administration & Calculations 91–100
,Section Topic Area Questions
11 Fluid Balance, Nutrition & MUST 101–108
12 Perioperative & Post-operative Care 109–115
13 Palliative Care, End-of-Life & Death and Dying 116–122
14 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults 123–128
15 Deconditioning, Delirium, Dementia & Frailty 129–135
16 Communication, ISBAR & Documentation 136–142
17 OSCE Station Scenarios & Clinical Reasoning 143–150
SECTION 1: TEST STRUCTURE, ELIGIBILITY & REGULATORY
FRAMEWORK
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question.
Question 1
• Which of the following is the CORRECT number of OSCE stations that an applicant must
complete in the RCSI FNM Overseas General Nurse Aptitude Test practical component?
A) 10 stations
B) 12 stations
C) 14 stations
D) 16 stations
•• Correct Answer: C) 14 stations
Rationale: The RCSI FNM Aptitude Test practical component requires applicants to complete
,14 OSCE stations, each assessing different competencies. Each station is set up as a clinical
setting with all necessary equipment, and applicants spend 10 minutes at each station.
Question 2
• What is the minimum pass mark required for the Theory (MCQ) component of the RCSI FNM
Overseas General Nurse Aptitude Test?
A) 40%
B) 50%
C) 60%
D) 70%
•• Correct Answer: B) 50%
Rationale: A minimum pass mark of 50% must be achieved in the Theory Test. The theory
test must be successfully completed before the practical/OSCE part can be attempted.
Question 3
• How many questions must an applicant answer in the RCSI FNM Theory Test, and over what
duration?
A) 100 questions over 2 hours
B) 150 questions over 2.5 hours
C) 150 questions over 3 hours
D) 200 questions over 3 hours
•• Correct Answer: C) 150 questions over 3 hours
Rationale: The theory test requires candidates to answer 150 multiple-choice questions over
a three-hour period. Each question has four possible answers, and candidates must select only
one answer.
Question 4
• An applicant who fails at the first attempt of the practical part/OSCEs will be:
A) Required to repeat the entire test from the beginning
B) Required to resit only the OSCE station/s failed
C) Permitted to proceed to registration with a conditional licence
D) Required to wait 12 months before reapplication
, •• Correct Answer: B) Required to resit only the OSCE station/s failed
Rationale: An applicant who fails at the first attempt of the practical part/OSCEs will be
required to resit the OSCE station/s failed. Two attempts (including one repeat) are allowed for
each part of the test.
Question 5
• The RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas General Nurses is based on which regulatory
document?
A) WHO Nursing Standards
B) NMBI Standards and Requirements for Nurse Registration Education Programmes
C) HSE Clinical Practice Guidelines
D) European Nursing Directive 2013/55/EU
•• Correct Answer: B) NMBI Standards and Requirements for Nurse
Registration Education Programmes
Rationale: Both parts of the test are based on the NMBI Standards and Requirements for
Nurse Registration Education Programmes and reflect what a newly qualified general nurse in
the Republic of Ireland must be able to achieve.
Question 6
• To be eligible to apply for the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test, an applicant must have:
A) A valid work visa for Ireland
B) An in-date NMBI decision letter stating the General Nurses Division applies
C) A job offer from an Irish healthcare employer
D) Five years of post-registration experience
•• Correct Answer: B) An in-date NMBI decision letter stating the
General Nurses Division applies
Rationale: To be eligible to apply for the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test, applicants must have an in-
date NMBI decision letter stating that the General Nurses Division applies to their application
and that they need to successfully complete a compensation measure.
