MOH UAE Nursing Exam: Updated MCQ Questions for Success
MOH UAE Nursing Exam: Updated MCQ Questions for Success
For nurses seeking to advance their careers in a globally recognized healthcare system, the United Arab Emirates presents a world of opportunity. The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) license is your passport to practice in the Emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. However, securing this prestigious license requires passing the MOH Nursing Prometric Exam—a comprehensive assessment designed to verify your clinical knowledge and ensure you meet the UAE’s high standards of patient care.
Success on the MOH exam is not about memorizing textbooks; it’s about demonstrating your ability to think critically under pressure. The exam is composed of scenario-based Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) that challenge your clinical judgment, prioritization skills, and commitment to patient safety. The most effective preparation strategy involves immersing yourself in these types of questions, understanding the logic behind both correct and incorrect answers.
This ultimate guide has been meticulously updated for 2025 to provide you with the tools you need for success. We will delve into the exam’s structure, break down the most frequently tested topics, and, most importantly, provide a robust selection of updated, free MCQ questions with in-depth rationales. This resource is more than just a list of questions; it’s a strategic framework for mastering the MOH exam. For a complete overview of the process, our MOH Examination Guide is an excellent starting point.
Key Takeaways for MOH Nursing Exam Success
- Prioritization is Crucial: Many questions will require you to identify the most critical patient or the most immediate nursing action. Master frameworks like ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
- Patient Safety is the Core Theme: Every question is viewed through the lens of patient safety. This includes medication rights, infection control, fall prevention, and recognizing deteriorating conditions.
- Master Pharmacology Calculations: Dosage calculation questions are guaranteed. They require 100% accuracy. Practice drip rates, conversions, and oral medication calculations until they are second nature.
- Know Your Nursing Fundamentals: A strong grasp of the nursing process (ADPIE), legal/ethical principles, and therapeutic communication is essential.
- Focus on High-Yield Clinical Areas: Medical-Surgical nursing forms the bulk of the exam, with a heavy focus on managing common chronic and acute conditions.
Deconstructing the MOH Nursing Exam Blueprint for 2025
To succeed, you must first understand the battlefield. The MOH exam for Registered Nurses is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 150 MCQs to be completed in 165 minutes. A strategic study plan requires a clear understanding of the content domains to ensure you allocate your time effectively. You can find more details in our dedicated guide on how to prepare for the MOH exam for nurses.
| Core Domain | High-Yield Topics and Concepts for 2025 |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Nursing | The Nursing Process (ADPIE), Legal & Ethical Principles (Consent, Confidentiality, Malpractice), Therapeutic Communication, Documentation, Vital Signs Interpretation, Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances, IV Therapy Management (Phlebitis, Infiltration, Extravasation), Asepsis, and Wound Care. |
| Medical-Surgical Nursing | This is the largest and most critical section. It covers the management of patients with Cardiovascular (MI, Heart Failure, Hypertension), Respiratory (COPD, Asthma, Pneumonia), Endocrine (Diabetes Mellitus, DKA, HHS, Thyroid disorders), Neurological (Stroke, Seizures, Head Injury), Gastrointestinal, and Renal disorders. A major focus is on pre-operative and post-operative care and preventing complications. |
| Pharmacology & Medication Administration | Precise Medication Dosage Calculations (all routes), the “10 Rights” of Medication Administration, Major Drug Classifications (Anticoagulants, Antihypertensives, Diuretics, Antibiotics, Insulin), Recognizing and Managing Adverse Drug Reactions and Anaphylaxis. |
| Patient Safety & Infection Control | Standard, Contact, Droplet, and Airborne Precautions. Correct sequence for Donning and Doffing of PPE. Fall Prevention Strategies, Safe Patient Handling, Medication Reconciliation, and early recognition of Sepsis. |
| Maternal & Child Health (Pediatrics & OB/GYN) | Antepartum, Intrapartum, and Postpartum Care (recognizing hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia). Newborn Assessment (Apgar score, normal reflexes). Pediatric Growth & Development Milestones, Pediatric Medication Safety, and managing common childhood illnesses like dehydration and respiratory infections. For more specialized questions, our guide on the MOH OB/GYN exam can provide additional insight. |
| Leadership, Management & Delegation | Prioritization of care among a group of patients, appropriate delegation of tasks to nursing assistants or practical nurses, inter-professional communication (SBAR), and conflict resolution. |
As you read each question, ask yourself: “What is the most immediate risk to this patient’s life or safety?” This critical thinking filter will often lead you directly to the correct answer.
Free MOH Nursing Exam MCQ Questions with In-Depth Rationales
Engage with these questions actively. Read the scenario, analyze the data, formulate your answer, and *then* read the provided rationale. This process will train your clinical judgment far more effectively than passive reading.
Question 1: Prioritization of Care
A nurse is receiving the morning report on four patients in a medical unit. Which patient should the nurse assess FIRST?
- A patient with COPD who has a baseline SpO2 of 91% on 2L of oxygen and is requesting a nebulizer treatment.
- A patient with type 2 diabetes scheduled for a fasting blood glucose test who reports feeling hungry.
- A patient admitted with heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities and a weight gain of 0.5 kg overnight.
- A patient who underwent a thyroidectomy 8 hours ago and is now reporting numbness and tingling around their mouth.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This question tests your ability to recognize a life-threatening complication. Numbness and tingling around the mouth (circumoral paresthesia) after a thyroidectomy is a classic sign of hypocalcemia, which can occur due to accidental removal of or damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. Severe hypocalcemia can lead to tetany, seizures, and life-threatening laryngospasm, compromising the patient’s airway. This is an acute and potentially fatal complication that requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: An SpO2 of 91% is often an acceptable baseline for a patient with chronic COPD. The need for a scheduled nebulizer is an expected part of their care, not an acute emergency.
B: Feeling hungry is an expected finding for a patient who is NPO (nothing by mouth) for a test. This is a matter of comfort, not a physiological emergency.
C: While weight gain and edema indicate worsening heart failure that requires attention, it is a more chronic issue compared to the acute airway risk posed by hypocalcemia.
Question 2: Pharmacology Calculation
The physician orders an intravenous infusion of 1000 mL of Normal Saline to run 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?
- 21 gtt/min
- 31 gtt/min
- 42 gtt/min
- 125 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The formula for calculating a manual IV drip rate is: (Total Volume in mL / Total Time in Minutes) x Drop Factor = Drops per Minute.
Step 1: Convert hours to minutes. 8 hours x 60 minutes/hour = 480 minutes.
Step 2: Plug the numbers into the formula. (1000 mL / 480 min) x 15 gtt/mL.
Step 3: Calculate the result. 2.0833 x 15 = 31.25.
Step 4: Round to the nearest whole number. The correct rate is 31 gtt/min.
Why other options are incorrect:
A (21 gtt/min): This would be the result if calculated incorrectly over 12 hours.
C (42 gtt/min): This would be the result if calculated incorrectly over 6 hours or with a 20 gtt/mL drip set.
D (125 gtt/min): This is the mL/hour rate, not the drops/minute rate.
Question 3: Infection Control
A nurse is preparing to enter the room of a patient who is on airborne precautions for suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. What is the correct sequence for donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
- Gloves, Gown, N95 Respirator, Goggles
- Gown, N95 Respirator, Goggles, Gloves
- N95 Respirator, Gown, Gloves, Goggles
- Goggles, Gown, N95 Respirator, Gloves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is designed to move from “cleanest” to “dirtiest” and to prevent self-contamination. The standard order is: 1. Gown (protects clothes and arms), 2. Mask or Respirator (in this case, a fit-tested N95 for airborne precautions), 3. Goggles or Face Shield, and 4. Gloves (donned last, as they will touch contaminated surfaces).
Question 4: Medical-Surgical Nursing
A nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). The patient is receiving an intravenous insulin infusion. Which assessment finding is most critical for the nurse to monitor?
- Blood glucose levels
- Urine output
- Potassium levels
- Level of consciousness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While all these assessments are important in DKA management, monitoring potassium levels is the most critical during an insulin infusion. Insulin forces potassium from the extracellular fluid back into the cells, which can cause a rapid and severe drop in serum potassium (hypokalemia). Life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias can result from hypokalemia. Therefore, frequent monitoring and potential replacement of potassium are paramount to patient safety.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Monitoring blood glucose is essential to titrate the insulin drip, but it is expected to fall. The life-threatening complication is the potassium shift.
B & D: Urine output and level of consciousness are important indicators of hydration and neurological status, but they improve as the DKA resolves. The immediate risk of a fatal arrhythmia from hypokalemia makes potassium monitoring the top priority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the MOH Nursing Exam
The MOHAP provides a “Pass” or “Fail” result without a numerical score. However, based on extensive candidate feedback and expert analysis, the unofficial passing benchmark is estimated to be around 60%. To ensure a comfortable pass, it is highly recommended to aim for a consistent score of 70% or higher in your practice tests.
While all three exams test core nursing competencies, their jurisdiction differs. The MOH license is for the Northern Emirates, DHA is for Dubai, and DOH (formerly HAAD) is for Abu Dhabi. Content-wise, there is significant overlap, but some candidates report the MOH exam has a slightly stronger focus on general medical-surgical nursing compared to the highly specialized nature of some DHA questions. Our guide on DHA, MOH, and HAAD exams provides a detailed comparison.
The MOH Registered Nurse exam typically consists of 150 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 165 minutes. This gives you approximately 1 minute and 6 seconds per question, making time management a key skill.
No, there is no penalty for wrong answers on the MOH Prometric exam. Your score is based only on the number of questions you answer correctly. It is always advantageous to make an educated guess rather than leaving a question blank.
Results are typically available within 2 to 5 business days after your exam date. You will receive an email notification to check your result on the official MOHAP online portal.
Candidates are generally allowed a total of three attempts to pass the exam. If you fail the first attempt, you can reapply for a second attempt. After a third failure, you may be required to provide evidence of further training or clinical experience before being allowed to re-apply. For official policies, refer to the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention, as guidelines can be updated.
While the exam is primarily clinical, a basic understanding of professional ethics and patient rights as they apply in the UAE is beneficial. However, unlike the pharmacist exam, the nursing exam does not typically have a large section dedicated to memorizing specific laws.
Do not try to memorize every drug. Instead, focus on understanding major drug classes (e.g., beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, anticoagulants). For each class, you must know the mechanism of action, major side effects, and critical nursing considerations. And most importantly, practice dosage calculations relentlessly.
Passing the exam makes you eligible for the UAE MOH license. The next major step is the Primary Source Verification (PSV) process conducted by the DataFlow Group, which verifies your credentials. Once PSV is complete and you have a job offer from a MOH-licensed facility, your employer will activate your license.
The MOH exam reflects high international standards of care. Familiarity with guidelines from globally recognized bodies is very helpful. For example, standards of care from organizations like the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the American Heart Association (for BLS/ACLS) form the basis of many clinical best practices tested on the exam.
Conclusion: Your Pathway to a Nursing Career in the UAE
The MOH UAE Nursing Exam is a significant challenge, but it is a fair and passable test for the dedicated and well-prepared candidate. Success hinges on a strategic approach that combines a solid review of core nursing principles with extensive, active practice using high-quality MCQs. By understanding the exam’s blueprint, mastering the art of clinical reasoning, and using the sample questions in this guide to hone your skills, you are taking the most effective steps toward achieving your goal of becoming a licensed nurse in the UAE.
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