UK CBT (Computer-Based Test) (NMC) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
1. A 68-year-old patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and
pleuritic chest pain. On assessment, the nurse notes a respiratory rate of
28/min, oxygen saturation of 89%, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. What is the
most appropriate immediate nursing action?
A) Encourage the patient to take slow, deep breaths
B) Administer oxygen as prescribed and prepare for further investigations
C) Sit the patient upright and provide reassurance only
D) Obtain a full history before initiating any intervention
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is showing signs of hypoxia and tachypnea. Administering
oxygen promptly and preparing for investigations (e.g., blood gases, chest
imaging) is essential. Delay in oxygen therapy could worsen hypoxia.
2. A patient with type 2 diabetes reports feeling dizzy, sweaty, and shaky
before lunch. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Check the patient’s blood glucose
B) Encourage the patient to drink water
C) Administer insulin
D) Notify the doctor immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. Confirming blood glucose is the
first step before deciding further interventions, such as giving glucose or adjusting
insulin.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with suspected sepsis. Which vital sign
pattern is most indicative of early sepsis?
A) Bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia
B) Tachycardia, fever, tachypnea
C) Normal heart rate, normal temperature, normal blood pressure
D) Bradypnea, hypertension, hypothermia
Answer: B
Rationale: Early sepsis often presents with tachycardia, fever, and tachypnea due
to systemic inflammatory response. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed erythropoietin. The
nurse should monitor for:
A) Hypotension
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Hypoglycemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin can increase red blood cell production, potentially
raising blood viscosity and blood pressure. Monitoring BP is important.
5. A 45-year-old patient is admitted with acute myocardial infarction. The
nurse notes ST-segment elevation on ECG. Which intervention should the
nurse prioritize?
A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B) Start IV fluids rapidly
C) Prepare the patient for reperfusion therapy
D) Encourage the patient to ambulate
Answer: C
Rationale: ST-segment elevation indicates STEMI, requiring urgent reperfusion
therapy (PCI or thrombolysis). Immediate intervention reduces myocardial
damage.
,6. A patient reports severe pain at the surgical site 2 hours postoperatively.
Which action demonstrates appropriate pain management?
A) Observe the patient and wait for the pain to subside
B) Assess pain using a validated scale and administer analgesia as prescribed
C) Suggest the patient distract themselves
D) Administer sedatives regardless of pain score
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper pain management involves assessment using a validated tool
and timely analgesia administration. Uncontrolled pain may impair recovery and
cause complications.
7. A patient with COPD is experiencing increased shortness of breath and
wheezing. Oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Increase oxygen to 10 L/min
B) Administer prescribed bronchodilator and monitor response
C) Place the patient in supine position
D) Call for immediate intubation
Answer: B
Rationale: Administering bronchodilators helps relieve airway constriction.
Oxygen should be titrated carefully to maintain saturation without causing CO₂
retention.
, 8. Which of the following patients requires immediate isolation precautions to
prevent infection spread?
A) A patient with MRSA colonization
B) A patient with seasonal allergic rhinitis
C) A patient with controlled hypertension
D) A patient recovering from elective knee surgery
Answer: A
Rationale: MRSA is a multidrug-resistant organism, requiring contact precautions
to prevent transmission to other patients and staff.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). Which nursing action reduces the risk of recurrence?
A) Encourage prolonged bed rest
B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed and encourage mobility
C) Apply cold compresses to lower limbs
D) Limit fluid intake to prevent swelling
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticoagulation therapy and early mobilization help prevent clot
formation and recurrence of DVT.
10. A patient presents with confusion, fever, and nuchal rigidity. What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Obtain blood cultures and start empiric antibiotics
B) Encourage fluids and monitor temperature
C) Provide a low-stimulus environment
D) Prepare the patient for MRI
Answer: A
Rationale: These are classic signs of meningitis or CNS infection. Immediate
antibiotics and cultures are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
1. A 68-year-old patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and
pleuritic chest pain. On assessment, the nurse notes a respiratory rate of
28/min, oxygen saturation of 89%, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. What is the
most appropriate immediate nursing action?
A) Encourage the patient to take slow, deep breaths
B) Administer oxygen as prescribed and prepare for further investigations
C) Sit the patient upright and provide reassurance only
D) Obtain a full history before initiating any intervention
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is showing signs of hypoxia and tachypnea. Administering
oxygen promptly and preparing for investigations (e.g., blood gases, chest
imaging) is essential. Delay in oxygen therapy could worsen hypoxia.
2. A patient with type 2 diabetes reports feeling dizzy, sweaty, and shaky
before lunch. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Check the patient’s blood glucose
B) Encourage the patient to drink water
C) Administer insulin
D) Notify the doctor immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. Confirming blood glucose is the
first step before deciding further interventions, such as giving glucose or adjusting
insulin.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with suspected sepsis. Which vital sign
pattern is most indicative of early sepsis?
A) Bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia
B) Tachycardia, fever, tachypnea
C) Normal heart rate, normal temperature, normal blood pressure
D) Bradypnea, hypertension, hypothermia
Answer: B
Rationale: Early sepsis often presents with tachycardia, fever, and tachypnea due
to systemic inflammatory response. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed erythropoietin. The
nurse should monitor for:
A) Hypotension
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Hypoglycemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin can increase red blood cell production, potentially
raising blood viscosity and blood pressure. Monitoring BP is important.
5. A 45-year-old patient is admitted with acute myocardial infarction. The
nurse notes ST-segment elevation on ECG. Which intervention should the
nurse prioritize?
A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B) Start IV fluids rapidly
C) Prepare the patient for reperfusion therapy
D) Encourage the patient to ambulate
Answer: C
Rationale: ST-segment elevation indicates STEMI, requiring urgent reperfusion
therapy (PCI or thrombolysis). Immediate intervention reduces myocardial
damage.
,6. A patient reports severe pain at the surgical site 2 hours postoperatively.
Which action demonstrates appropriate pain management?
A) Observe the patient and wait for the pain to subside
B) Assess pain using a validated scale and administer analgesia as prescribed
C) Suggest the patient distract themselves
D) Administer sedatives regardless of pain score
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper pain management involves assessment using a validated tool
and timely analgesia administration. Uncontrolled pain may impair recovery and
cause complications.
7. A patient with COPD is experiencing increased shortness of breath and
wheezing. Oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Increase oxygen to 10 L/min
B) Administer prescribed bronchodilator and monitor response
C) Place the patient in supine position
D) Call for immediate intubation
Answer: B
Rationale: Administering bronchodilators helps relieve airway constriction.
Oxygen should be titrated carefully to maintain saturation without causing CO₂
retention.
, 8. Which of the following patients requires immediate isolation precautions to
prevent infection spread?
A) A patient with MRSA colonization
B) A patient with seasonal allergic rhinitis
C) A patient with controlled hypertension
D) A patient recovering from elective knee surgery
Answer: A
Rationale: MRSA is a multidrug-resistant organism, requiring contact precautions
to prevent transmission to other patients and staff.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). Which nursing action reduces the risk of recurrence?
A) Encourage prolonged bed rest
B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed and encourage mobility
C) Apply cold compresses to lower limbs
D) Limit fluid intake to prevent swelling
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticoagulation therapy and early mobilization help prevent clot
formation and recurrence of DVT.
10. A patient presents with confusion, fever, and nuchal rigidity. What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Obtain blood cultures and start empiric antibiotics
B) Encourage fluids and monitor temperature
C) Provide a low-stimulus environment
D) Prepare the patient for MRI
Answer: A
Rationale: These are classic signs of meningitis or CNS infection. Immediate
antibiotics and cultures are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
