MOH Nursing Exam MCQs: Practice Questions with Answers
MOH Nursing Exam MCQs: Practice Questions with Answers
For nurses worldwide, obtaining a license to practice in the United Arab Emirates is a significant professional achievement. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) Nursing Exam is the critical hurdle that every candidate must overcome to work in emirates like Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. This exam is not a simple test of textbook knowledge; it is a sophisticated assessment of your clinical reasoning, patient safety instincts, and ability to prioritize care in complex situations. The single most effective way to prepare for this challenge is to immerse yourself in high-quality practice questions.
Studying with Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) is the gold standard for MOH exam preparation. It shifts you from passive learning (reading) to active problem-solving (applying knowledge), which is exactly what the real exam demands. A well-crafted MCQ forces you to analyze a clinical scenario, consider multiple possibilities, and make a definitive judgment—the very essence of professional nursing.
This guide is your ultimate free resource for realistic MOH Nursing Exam MCQs. We have developed a series of practice questions that mirror the style and difficulty of the actual Prometric exam, complete with detailed, expert-written answers and rationales. By working through these questions, you will not only test your knowledge but also sharpen your test-taking strategies, identify your weak areas, and build the confidence needed to pass on your first attempt. This is your first step in how to prepare for the MOH exam for nurses and achieve your career goals in the UAE.
Key Takeaways for MCQ Mastery
- Prioritization is Everything: A huge portion of the exam tests your ability to identify the sickest patient. Master the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
- Patient Safety is the Golden Rule: From medication rights to infection control and fall prevention, every question has a safety component. Always choose the safest option.
- Pharmacology is a Core Pillar: Know your major drug classes, common side effects, and be 100% accurate in your medication calculations.
- Understand the “Why”: Don’t just memorize answers. Our detailed rationales will teach you the clinical reasoning behind each correct choice, which is crucial for tackling unfamiliar questions.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Consistent practice with high-quality MCQs is the single most important factor for success.
Core Domains of the MOH Nursing Exam
Your preparation must be comprehensive. The MOH exam for nurses is designed to cover the full spectrum of professional nursing practice. A strategic study plan will allocate time to master each of these critical domains.
| Core Domain | High-Yield Topics for 2025 |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Nursing | The Nursing Process (ADPIE), legal and ethical principles (consent, confidentiality, negligence), documentation, vital signs interpretation, fluid & electrolyte imbalances, acid-base balance, IV therapy and its complications (infiltration, phlebitis), wound care, and patient mobility. |
| Medical-Surgical Nursing | This is the largest domain. It covers the management of patients with cardiovascular (MI, HF, HTN), respiratory (COPD, Asthma, Pneumonia), endocrine (Diabetes, DKA, Thyroid disorders), neurological (Stroke, Seizures), GI, and renal disorders. A major focus is on pre-operative and post-operative care. |
| Pharmacology & Medication Administration | Medication calculations (oral, IV, drip rates), the “10 Rights” of medication administration, major drug classifications (antihypertensives, anticoagulants, antibiotics, diuretics), recognizing and managing adverse effects, and understanding drug interactions. |
| Patient Safety & Infection Control | Standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precautions. Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Fall prevention strategies, safe patient handling, recognizing early signs of sepsis, and responding to medication errors. |
| Maternal & Child Health Nursing | Antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care. Recognizing obstetric emergencies like pre-eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage. Newborn assessment (Apgar scoring). Pediatric growth and development milestones, pediatric medication safety, and managing common childhood illnesses like dehydration. |
| Leadership, Management & Delegation | Prioritization of care among multiple patients. Principles of effective delegation to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Inter-professional communication techniques like SBAR. Conflict resolution. |
When you read a question, ask yourself: “If I could only do ONE thing for this patient right now, what would have the biggest impact on their immediate safety?” This mindset will often lead you to the correct priority action.
Free MOH Nursing Exam MCQs with Answers & Rationales
Now, let’s apply this knowledge. Work through each question carefully. Try to answer it on your own before reading the explanation. This active process is key to effective learning. For even more questions, exploring a dedicated bank of nursing MCQs can be a game-changer.
Question 1: Prioritization of Care
A nurse has just received the morning report on four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess FIRST?
- A patient with pneumonia who has a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) and a productive cough.
- A patient with type 2 diabetes who has a pre-breakfast blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL.
- A patient who is 2 days post-operative from an abdominal hysterectomy and is complaining of 6/10 incisional pain.
- A patient with asthma who used their albuterol inhaler 20 minutes ago and is now reporting a feeling of chest tightness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This is a classic Airway/Breathing question. The patient with asthma whose symptoms have not resolved (and may be worsening) after using a rescue inhaler is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Chest tightness indicates ongoing bronchoconstriction, which can lead to respiratory failure. This patient is the most unstable and is at immediate risk, making them the top priority according to the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: A fever and productive cough are expected findings for a patient with pneumonia. While this patient needs assessment and care, their condition is not as immediately life-threatening as an acute asthma attack.
B: A blood glucose of 180 mg/dL is elevated but not a critical value requiring immediate action before other patients are assessed. The scheduled insulin can address this.
C: 6/10 pain is significant and needs to be managed, but pain is psychosocial and comes after ABC issues. The patient is not in immediate physiological danger.
Question 2: Pharmacology Calculation
A healthcare provider orders an IV infusion of 1000 mL of Normal Saline to be administered over 8 hours. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the manual IV infusion to run at how many drops per minute (gtt/min)?
- 21 gtt/min
- 31 gtt/min
- 42 gtt/min
- 125 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This calculation requires a standard formula: (Total Volume in mL / Total Time in minutes) x Drop Factor = Flow Rate in gtt/min.
Step 1: Convert hours to minutes.
8 hours x 60 minutes/hour = 480 minutes.
Step 2: Plug the values into the formula.
(1000 mL / 480 minutes) x 15 gtt/mL
Step 3: Calculate the result.
2.0833 mL/minute x 15 gtt/mL = 31.25 gtt/min.
Step 4: Round to the nearest whole number.
Since you cannot administer a fraction of a drop, the rate is rounded to 31 gtt/min.
Why other options are incorrect:
A, C: These are common miscalculations.
D: 125 is the rate in mL/hour (1000 mL / 8 hours), not gtt/min. This is a common distractor that tests if you have completed all steps of the calculation.
Question 3: Infection Control
A nurse is preparing to enter the room of a patient who is on airborne precautions for suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Which piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for the nurse to wear?
- Surgical mask
- Gown and gloves
- N95 respirator mask
- Face shield
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for diseases transmitted by small droplets (less than 5 microns) that can remain suspended in the air for long periods. Tuberculosis is the classic example. A standard surgical mask is insufficient to filter these small particles. An N95 respirator, which is designed to filter at least 95% of airborne particles and forms a tight seal around the face, is the required level of respiratory protection.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: A surgical mask protects against larger droplets and is used for droplet precautions (e.g., influenza), not airborne.
B: A gown and gloves are part of contact precautions, used to prevent the spread of pathogens through direct contact (e.g., MRSA, C. diff).
D: A face shield protects the eyes and face from splashes and is typically used with a surgical mask for droplet precautions, not as primary respiratory protection for airborne diseases.
Question 4: Medical-Surgical (Endocrine)
A nurse is caring for a client with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). The client is receiving an intravenous infusion of regular insulin. Which laboratory value requires the most careful monitoring?
- Serum Sodium
- Serum Potassium
- Hemoglobin
- White Blood Cell Count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When administering insulin, it’s crucial to understand its effect on potassium levels. Insulin drives potassium from the extracellular fluid (bloodstream) into the intracellular space. In a patient with DKA who is already volume-depleted, this can lead to a rapid and dangerous drop in serum potassium levels (hypokalemia). Severe hypokalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Therefore, monitoring serum potassium is a top priority.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Sodium levels are monitored in DKA due to dehydration, but the risk of acute, life-threatening changes is less immediate than with potassium.
C & D: Hemoglobin and WBC count are part of the overall patient assessment but are not directly and acutely affected by insulin infusion in the way potassium is.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the MOH Nursing Exam
The exam result is a simple Pass or Fail. MOHAP does not provide a numerical score. Based on candidate experience, the estimated passing threshold is around 55-60%. To be safe, your goal during preparation should be to consistently achieve scores of 65% or higher on your practice tests.
All three exams assess the same core nursing competencies and are of a similar difficulty level. The main difference is the jurisdiction they license you for. While the clinical content is largely universal, each exam may have a slightly different focus or include specific questions related to the regulations of that particular health authority.
Focus on understanding drug classes rather than memorizing hundreds of individual drugs. For each class (e.g., Beta-Blockers), know the mechanism of action, the common suffix (-olol), key indications, major side effects (bradycardia, bronchoconstriction), and critical nursing considerations. Use flashcards for active recall.
This is a very important topic. You must know the five rights of delegation (Right Task, Right Circumstance, Right Person, Right Direction/Communication, and Right Supervision/Evaluation). Understand which tasks can be delegated to an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) – generally, tasks that involve ADLs and do not require nursing judgment, assessment, or teaching.
Yes, the MOH exam is based on international standards of nursing care. Knowledge of guidelines from globally respected bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) or the International Council of Nurses (ICN) is highly relevant and demonstrates an understanding of evidence-based practice.
PSV stands for Primary Source Verification. After you pass the exam, a company named DataFlow is contracted to verify the authenticity of your qualifications (nursing degree, license, experience certificates) directly from the source. This is a mandatory step before your MOH license can be activated.
Typically, candidates are allowed three attempts to pass the exam. If you fail three times, you may be required to undergo a period of clinical training before you are eligible to re-apply. It is always best to check the latest regulations on the official MOHAP website.
It is strongly discouraged. “Exam dumps” often contain outdated or incorrect information. More importantly, they encourage memorization, but the MOH exam tests critical thinking and application. The best approach is to use a high-quality, reputable Question Bank that provides detailed rationales, which actually teaches you how to think like a nurse.
A balanced 6-8 week schedule is ideal. Dedicate the first 4-5 weeks to covering all the core domains, combining content review with topic-specific MCQs. Use the final 2-3 weeks for intensive practice with mixed-subject, timed mock exams to build your speed and endurance.
First, use the process of elimination. Cross out any answer options you know are incorrect. Then, re-read the question carefully to ensure you haven’t missed a key detail. Look for keywords like “first,” “best,” or “priority.” If still unsure, trust your nursing intuition and make an educated guess. Since there is no negative marking, you must answer every question.
Conclusion: From Practice to Professional License
The MOH Nursing Exam is a rigorous but fair assessment of your professional capabilities. Your success hinges on your ability to apply your hard-earned knowledge to practical, case-based scenarios. By consistently engaging with high-quality MCQs like the ones in this guide, you are not just memorizing facts; you are actively training your clinical judgment. This is the key to walking into the Prometric center with the skills and confidence to not only pass but to excel. Your career in the UAE is within reach, and it begins with dedicated, strategic practice.
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