DHA Nursing Prometric Exam: Free Questions and Answers
DHA Nursing Prometric Exam: Free Questions and Answers
Embarking on the journey to become a licensed nurse in Dubai is an exciting prospect, filled with the promise of working in a world-class healthcare system. The final and most critical step in this journey is conquering the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) Nursing Prometric Exam. While many resources focus on the vast syllabus, the single most effective preparation method is active learning through practice questions. Engaging with exam-style MCQs is the best way to test your knowledge, identify your weaknesses, and master the art of clinical reasoning under pressure.
Finding high-quality, relevant, and free practice questions can be a challenge. Many online resources are outdated or do not accurately reflect the complexity of the real exam. This guide is designed to solve that problem. We have compiled a comprehensive set of free DHA nursing exam questions, each with a detailed, expert-written answer and rationale. This is more than just a list of questions; it’s an interactive learning tool. By dissecting not only why the correct answer is right but also why the incorrect options are wrong, you will develop the deep critical thinking skills that the DHA exam is designed to test. This is your first step towards a successful DHA Prometric exam preparation journey.
Key Takeaways for Effective Practice
- Active Recall is Superior: Answering questions forces your brain to actively retrieve information, which is far more effective for long-term memory than passive reading.
- Rationales are the Real Lesson: The learning gold is in the rationales. Understanding the ‘why’ behind each answer is what builds true clinical judgment.
- Identify Your Weaknesses: Practice questions are a diagnostic tool. They will quickly reveal the topics and systems where you need to focus your study time.
- Master Time Management: Answering questions under timed conditions helps you develop a pacing strategy, ensuring you can complete all 150 questions in the allotted 165 minutes.
- Familiarize Yourself with Question Styles: The DHA exam uses specific question formats (e.g., prioritization, safety, pharmacology). Practice exposes you to these styles, reducing anxiety on exam day.
Core Concepts Tested in the DHA Nursing Exam
Before diving into the questions, it’s essential to remember the core domains the exam covers. Each question below is designed to test your knowledge in one of these critical areas. For a deeper look at the exam content, review our detailed guide on the path to passing the Prometric exam for nurses.
- Fundamentals of Nursing: The bedrock of nursing practice, including the nursing process, ethics, and basic patient care.
- Medical-Surgical Nursing: The largest section, covering the management of adult patients with a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
- Pharmacology & Medication Administration: A critical safety component, focusing on drug classifications, side effects, and dosage calculations.
- Patient Safety & Infection Control: A universal theme, covering everything from fall prevention to isolation precautions.
- Maternal & Child Health: Care of patients through the lifespan, from pregnancy and birth to pediatric care.
- Leadership & Management: Skills in prioritization, delegation, and inter-professional communication.
Free DHA Nursing Prometric Exam Questions & Answers
Engage with these questions as you would in the real exam. Read the scenario carefully, identify the core issue, and select the best possible answer before reading the rationale.
Question 1: Prioritization (Leadership & Management)
The charge nurse on a busy surgical floor is making assignments. Which client is most appropriate to assign to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
- A client who is 6 hours post-operative from a total hip replacement and requires a blood transfusion.
- A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes who needs initial education on insulin administration.
- A client who is scheduled for discharge and requires a detailed review of their home medications.
- A client with a chronic pressure ulcer who requires a sterile dressing change and ongoing monitoring of intake and output.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The scope of practice for an LPN typically includes performing tasks on stable clients with predictable outcomes. Changing a sterile dressing on a chronic wound, monitoring intake and output, and providing basic care fall squarely within the LPN’s scope. This client is the most stable and requires tasks that do not involve initial patient education, complex assessments, or the administration of blood products.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Administering a blood transfusion is a high-risk procedure that requires the comprehensive assessment skills of a Registered Nurse (RN) to monitor for and manage potential reactions.
B: Initial patient education, especially for a complex new diagnosis like diabetes, is a core function of the RN and cannot be delegated to an LPN.
C: Discharge teaching requires a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s understanding and is the responsibility of the RN.
Question 2: Pharmacology
A nurse is administering warfarin to a client with atrial fibrillation. The client’s most recent INR is 4.5. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- Administer the warfarin as ordered.
- Hold the dose of warfarin and notify the physician.
- Prepare to administer protamine sulfate.
- Check the client’s latest PTT level.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic INR range for a client on warfarin for atrial fibrillation is typically 2.0 to 3.0. An INR of 4.5 is supratherapeutic (too high), placing the client at a significant risk for bleeding. The priority nursing action is to hold the scheduled dose to prevent the INR from rising further and to immediately notify the prescribing physician for further orders, which may include administering the reversal agent, Vitamin K.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Administering the dose would be unsafe and could lead to a life-threatening bleed.
C: Protamine sulfate is the reversal agent for heparin, not warfarin. The reversal agent for warfarin is Vitamin K (phytonadione).
D: PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time) is used to monitor heparin therapy. INR (International Normalized Ratio) is used for warfarin.
Question 3: Infection Control
A client is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Which type of isolation precaution should the nurse implement?
- Standard Precautions
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Precautions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis (caused by pathogens like *Neisseria meningitidis* or *Haemophilus influenzae*) is transmitted via large respiratory droplets that travel short distances (about 3 feet or 1 meter). Therefore, Droplet Precautions are required. This includes placing the client in a private room and requiring all healthcare workers to wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the client.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Standard precautions are used for all patients, but they are insufficient for meningitis.
B: Contact precautions are for pathogens spread by direct contact, like MRSA or C. difficile.
D: Airborne precautions are for pathogens spread via smaller droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in the air, like tuberculosis or varicella (chickenpox).
Question 4: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Cardiovascular)
A nurse is caring for a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the following assessment findings would be most expected?
- Jugular vein distention (JVD)
- Dependent pedal edema
- Crackles in the lungs
- Hepatosplenomegaly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure means the left ventricle cannot effectively pump blood out to the body. This causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation. The increased pressure in the pulmonary vessels forces fluid into the alveoli, causing pulmonary congestion, which is auscultated as crackles. This is a hallmark sign of left-sided HF.
Why other options are incorrect:
A, B, D: Jugular vein distention, dependent edema (in the feet and legs), and an enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly) are all signs of systemic venous congestion. This occurs when the *right* side of the heart fails and blood backs up into the body’s venous system.
Question 5: Fundamentals of Nursing (Fluid & Electrolytes)
A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client who has been taking a loop diuretic for hypertension. The serum potassium level is 2.9 mEq/L. The nurse should assess the client for which of the following?
- Muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias
- Tingling of the extremities and Trousseau’s sign
- Increased thirst and confusion
- Bradycardia and tall, peaked T waves on ECG
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal serum potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 2.9 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia. Loop diuretics (like furosemide) are potassium-wasting. Potassium is crucial for muscle and nerve function, especially the cardiac muscle. Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and most dangerously, can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias (like PVCs or V-tach) by increasing cardiac electrical instability. These are the priority assessments.
Why other options are incorrect:
B: Tingling and Trousseau’s sign are classic signs of hypocalcemia (low calcium).
C: Increased thirst and confusion are signs of hypernatremia (high sodium).
D: Bradycardia and tall, peaked T waves are ECG findings associated with *hyperkalemia* (high potassium).
Question 6: Maternal & Child Health
A nurse is assessing a newborn 1 minute after birth. The infant has a heart rate of 110 bpm, a good cry, some flexion of the extremities, a grimace in response to stimulation, and the body is pink but the extremities are blue. What is the Apgar score?
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Apgar score is assessed on 5 criteria, each scored 0, 1, or 2.
Appearance: Body pink, extremities blue (acrocyanosis) = 1 point.
Pulse: >100 bpm (it’s 110) = 2 points.
Grimace (reflex irritability): A good cry is a vigorous response = 2 points.
Activity (muscle tone): Some flexion = 1 point.
Respiration: Good cry = 2 points.
Total Score = 1 (Appearance) + 2 (Pulse) + 2 (Grimace) + 1 (Activity) + 2 (Respiration) = 8.
Why other options are incorrect:
The score is calculated systematically. Scores of 6, 7, or 9 would result from misinterpreting one or more of the five signs. A score of 7 would be given if the grimace was misinterpreted as only 1 point. A perfect 10 is rare, usually because most infants have acrocyanosis (1 point for appearance).
Question 7: Patient Safety
An elderly client with a history of falls is admitted to the medical unit. Which action should the nurse take first to ensure the client’s safety?
- Apply bilateral soft wrist restraints.
- Keep all four side rails in the up position.
- Place the client’s personal belongings on the bedside table.
- Perform a fall-risk assessment on the client.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The first step in the nursing process is assessment. Before any interventions can be planned or implemented, the nurse must first systematically assess the client’s specific fall risks using a standardized tool (e.g., Morse Fall Scale). This assessment will identify individual risk factors (like medication side effects, mobility issues, or confusion) and guide the development of a personalized care plan to prevent falls.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Restraints are a last resort, require a physician’s order, and can increase the risk of injury. They should not be the first action.
B: Keeping all four side rails up is considered a form of restraint and can increase the risk of injury if the client tries to climb over them.
C: While keeping belongings within reach is a good intervention, it is not the first action. The assessment must come first to determine which interventions are needed.
Question 8: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Respiratory)
A nurse is teaching a client how to use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) for their asthma. Which instruction indicates the client understands the teaching?
- “I will take a quick, shallow breath as I press down on the inhaler.”
- “I should hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication.”
- “I will use the inhaler right after I finish exercising.”
- “It’s important to rinse my mouth with mouthwash before using the inhaler.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holding the breath for 10 seconds (or as long as comfortable) after inhaling the medication is a critical step. This allows the aerosolized medication to deposit deep within the airways and be absorbed, maximizing its therapeutic effect. Without this step, much of the medication would be immediately exhaled.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: The client should take a slow, deep breath over 3-5 seconds to draw the medication into the lungs, not a quick, shallow one.
C: If the inhaler is a rescue inhaler (like albuterol), it should be used *before* exercise to prevent bronchospasm, not after.
D: Rinsing the mouth with water should be done *after* using an inhaled corticosteroid to prevent oral candidiasis (thrush), not before.
Question 9: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Neurology)
A nurse is caring for a client who had an ischemic stroke. The client is exhibiting expressive aphasia. Which of the following is the best way for the nurse to communicate with the client?
- Speak loudly and slowly to the client.
- Ask complex questions to challenge the client’s cognitive function.
- Use a picture board and ask simple “yes” or “no” questions.
- Assume the client cannot understand and speak only to the family.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Expressive aphasia (also known as Broca’s aphasia) is a condition where the client understands what is being said to them but has great difficulty producing speech. They know what they want to say but cannot find the words. Therefore, the best approach is to minimize the need for them to speak. Using a picture board, gestures, and simple closed-ended questions that can be answered with a nod or a “yes/no” reduces frustration and facilitates effective communication.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Speaking loudly is not necessary unless the client is hearing impaired. The issue is with speech production, not hearing.
B: Asking complex questions will only increase the client’s frustration.
D: This is incorrect and disrespectful. The client’s comprehension is often intact, and they should be included in their care as much as possible.
Question 10: Dosage Calculation
A physician orders 250 mg of an antibiotic to be administered IV. The pharmacy supplies a vial containing 1 gram of the antibiotic in powder form. The label instructs to reconstitute with 9.6 mL of sterile water to yield a final concentration of 100 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
- 0.25 mL
- 1.5 mL
- 2.5 mL
- 5.0 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is a dosage calculation problem using the formula: (Dose Ordered / Dose on Hand) * Volume.
Dose Ordered = 250 mg.
Dose on Hand (Concentration) = 100 mg/mL.
Volume = (250 mg / 100 mg) * 1 mL = 2.5 mL.
The nurse should draw up 2.5 mL of the reconstituted solution to administer the correct dose. The information about the total vial size (1 gram) and reconstitution volume (9.6 mL) is important for the reconstitution step but the final calculation is based on the resulting concentration.
Why other options are incorrect:
The other options are a result of calculation errors, such as dividing the concentration by the dose or misplacing a decimal point.
Frequently Asked Questions About DHA Nursing Questions
Yes, the difficulty level and clinical vignette style are very representative. The real exam requires you to analyze a situation, prioritize care, and apply your knowledge, not just recall isolated facts. These questions are structured to mimic that challenge.
While free question sets like this are an excellent starting point, they are not sufficient for comprehensive preparation. To cover the vast nursing syllabus and build the necessary mental stamina, a subscription to a high-quality QBank with at least 1,500-2,000+ questions is highly recommended.
First, use the process of elimination. Rule out any options that are clearly unsafe or incorrect. This often narrows your choice to two plausible options. Re-read the stem of the question, looking for keywords (e.g., “first,” “priority,” “most important”). Then, apply safety principles or prioritization frameworks (like ABCs) to make the best-educated guess. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
The DHA exam tests universal, evidence-based nursing standards that are recognized globally. You will not be tested on specific hospital policies from Dubai. Your focus should be on best practices promoted by international health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), especially regarding patient safety goals.
Medications can be presented by either their generic name (e.g., furosemide) or a common brand name (e.g., Lasix). It is essential to be familiar with both for the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Extremely important. You are guaranteed to have several dosage calculation questions. These are considered critical safety questions, and you must answer them with 100% accuracy. Practice these calculations until they become second nature.
Delegation questions are common. For the exam, remember that the RN is responsible for the overall nursing process: initial assessment, initial patient education, care planning, and evaluating outcomes. The LPN can perform tasks on stable patients with predictable outcomes, reinforce teaching, and administer certain medications, but they cannot do the initial or comprehensive parts of the nursing process.
A good strategy is to start by studying system-wise. This builds a strong foundation in each topic area. In the final few weeks of your preparation, you should switch primarily to mixed-timed question blocks. This simulates the random nature of the real exam and improves your ability to switch between different topics quickly.
The exam is graded as Pass/Fail. While the DHA does not publish an official passing percentage, the generally accepted threshold is around 60% to 65%. To ensure a comfortable pass, you should aim to consistently score above 70% on your full-length practice exams.
Passing the exam makes you eligible for a DHA license. You will receive an eligibility letter, which is valid for one year. You must then complete the Primary Source Verification (PSV) process with DataFlow. Once you secure a job offer from a DHA-licensed facility, your employer will use your eligibility letter to activate your nursing license.
Conclusion: From Practice to Passing
Mastering the content of the DHA nursing exam is a journey that is best traveled through consistent, high-quality practice. These free questions and answers provide a realistic glimpse into the critical thinking required to succeed. Use them as a launchpad for your studies. Analyze each rationale, understand the underlying principles, and identify where you need to focus your efforts. By combining this targeted practice with a structured study plan, you will be well on your way to conquering the DHA exam and launching your nursing career in Dubai.
Ready to Elevate Your Preparation?
Access thousands of realistic DHA nursing exam questions with detailed rationales, performance tracking, and simulated exams to ensure you are fully prepared for success.
