Evidence-based Practice & Safety
6 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 6 free NMC CBT (Overseas Nurses) practice questions on Evidence-based Practice & Safety, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Evidence-based Practice & Safety: example questions & answers
6 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
What is the single most effective measure to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infection?
- AIsolating every patient on admission
- BWearing a mask at all times
- CEffective hand hygiene✓
- DAdministering prophylactic antibiotics
Answer: Hand hygiene is recognised as the single most effective intervention to reduce healthcare-associated infections. The WHO 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene' guide when decontamination should occur.
According to the WHO 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene', when should hands be decontaminated in relation to a patient?
- AOnly when hands look visibly dirty
- BOnly after leaving the ward at the end of the shift has been completed
- CBefore touching a patient and before a clean or aseptic procedure✓
- DOnce at the start of each shift is enough, provided gloves are worn after
Answer: The WHO Five Moments include before touching a patient, before a clean or aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient and after touching patient surroundings. These moments interrupt the transmission of pathogens.
What does 'evidence-based practice' require a nurse to do?
- AUse whichever method is quickest
- BIntegrate the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences✓
- CFollow the most experienced colleague's habits
- DRely only on what was taught during initial training
Answer: Evidence-based practice combines the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient's values and preferences. This approach ensures care is current, safe and individualised.
A nurse notices a near-miss medication incident that caused no harm to the patient. What should they do?
- AOnly mention it verbally to the nurse in charge if somebody asks about it
- BRecord it in the patient's own diary at home rather than in ward records
- CIgnore it, because no harm came to the patient on this occasion at all
- DReport it through the incident reporting system to support learning✓
Answer: Near misses must be reported through the incident reporting system so that themes can be analysed and care improved. A just, open culture treats reporting as learning rather than blame.
Before carrying out an aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) for a wound dressing, what is a key principle?
- ATouching key parts directly with clean bare hands is acceptable
- BKey parts and key sites must be protected from contamination✓
- CThe dressing can be left open to air during preparation
- DSterile gloves remove the need for hand hygiene
Answer: ANTT relies on identifying and protecting key parts and key sites from contamination throughout the procedure. Hand hygiene remains essential even when gloves are worn.
A patient on a NEWS2 pathway has a respiratory rate of 9 breaths per minute. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
- AIt only matters if the patient's oxygen saturations are also found to be low
- BIt is abnormal and contributes to the NEWS2 score, requiring escalation✓
- CIt is normal and needs no action
- DRespiratory rate is not one of the parameters included in the NEWS2 chart
Answer: Respiratory rate is a core NEWS2 parameter, and a rate of 9 breaths per minute scores points and is a sensitive early sign of deterioration. It should prompt assessment and escalation according to the total score.