Nursing Practice & Decision-making
5 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 5 free NMC CBT (Overseas Nurses) practice questions on Nursing Practice & Decision-making, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Nursing Practice & Decision-making: example questions & answers
5 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
A 16-year-old who fully understands a proposed treatment wishes to consent to it. Under UK law, how should the nurse regard this?
- AThe young person cannot consent until they are 18
- BA 16-year-old is presumed able to consent to their own treatment✓
- COnly a parent can give valid consent
- DConsent must always be deferred to a court
Answer: In the UK, people aged 16 and 17 are presumed to have the capacity to consent to their own medical treatment. Younger children may also consent if assessed as Gillick competent.
A patient's NEWS2 score has risen sharply with a new score of 7. What does this indicate the nurse should do?
- AContinue routine 12-hourly observations
- BTrigger an urgent clinical review and escalate as per protocol✓
- CWait for the next scheduled medication round
- DReduce the frequency of observations to avoid disturbing the patient
Answer: A NEWS2 score of 7 or more is a high score that triggers an emergency response, including urgent clinical review and continuous monitoring. Prompt escalation reduces the risk of deterioration and cardiac arrest.
An unconscious patient is brought to hospital after an accident and needs immediate life-saving treatment. There is no advance decision. What is the legal basis for treating them?
- ATreatment must wait until a relative arrives to consent
- BTreatment may be given in the patient's best interests under the doctrine of necessity✓
- CNo treatment can be given without written consent
- DA court order is required before any treatment
Answer: When a patient lacks capacity and there is no valid advance decision, urgent life-saving treatment may lawfully be given in their best interests under the principle of necessity. Waiting for consent would risk serious harm.
A nurse suspects an older patient is being financially abused by a family member. What is the correct action?
- AConfront the family member directly without evidence
- BRaise a safeguarding concern following local policy✓
- CIgnore it as it is a private family matter
- DWait until the patient complains formally
Answer: Nurses have a duty to safeguard adults at risk and must raise a safeguarding concern through local procedures when abuse is suspected. Acting promptly protects the patient from further harm.
Before administering a medicine, which of the following must the nurse check as one of the 'rights' of medicines administration?
- AThe right colour of the packaging
- BThe right patient, drug, dose, route and time✓
- CThe right pharmacy supplier
- DThe right ward stock level
Answer: Safe medicines administration requires confirming the right patient, drug, dose, route and time, along with documentation. These checks reduce the risk of medication errors and patient harm.