Lantern Prep

DHA RN Exam (Dubai), Practice Questions

Practice for the DHA registered-nurse licensing assessment: original four-option questions built on the shared Gulf nursing core (the public SCFHS SNLE blueprint), with source-cited rationales.
Content last updated 6 July 2026 · every question independently verified against its cited source

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Lantern Prep is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by SCFHS, DHA, DOH Abu Dhabi, MOHAP, QCHP, Prometric, or any regulator or testing provider. Regulator and provider names are used only to identify the exams candidates prepare for. All questions are original, written to the public SCFHS SNLE blueprint and open nursing references; no recalled, leaked, or actual exam content, ever. Educational study aid only, not medical advice or clinical guidance. Practice standards evolve and local policies differ; always follow your institution’s current protocols and the regulator’s official materials.

Frequently asked questions

How is the DHA RN Exam (Dubai) structured?

The exam is 150 MCQs in about 165 minutes (as commonly published for DHA nursing assessments), four-option single best answer. Question domains follow the shared Gulf nursing core: Nursing Fundamentals, Adult (medical-surgical, critical care, community, mental health) Nursing, Maternal-Child Nursing, and Nursing Management — the structure published in the SCFHS SNLE blueprint. Always confirm current format details in your official applicant materials.

What score do I need to pass?

DHA publishes the official pass mark and blueprint to applicants in their Sheryan account. We score your practice against a 60% benchmark as a conservative readiness guide — confirm the current pass mark in Sheryan.

Are these real or recalled DHA exam questions?

No — and that matters. Selling ‘recalled’ or ‘actual’ exam questions violates the confidentiality agreement every candidate signs and can put your licence application at risk. Every Lantern Prep question is original, written to the public SCFHS SNLE blueprint and grounded in open, authoritative nursing references, with the source cited in every rationale.

How many practice questions are included?

The bank currently contains 1211 verified questions with source-cited rationales, distributed to the blueprint weighting (Fundamentals 20%, Adult 40%, Maternal-Child 30%, Management 10%). It is growing steadily — every question ships only after an independent verification pass against its cited source.

Does one purchase cover other Gulf regulators?

The core nursing content is shared across SCFHS, DHA, DOH Abu Dhabi, MOHAP, and QCHP — the exams test the same registered-nurse fundamentals. Each regulator page packages the bank to that exam’s length and timing.

What does access cost?

$29, one time, lifetime access. No subscription, no account needed.

Can I use it on more than one device?

Yes. One purchase works on up to 3 of your devices. Your progress is saved on each device.

Is Lantern Prep affiliated with DHA or Prometric?

No. Lantern Prep is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by any regulator or testing provider.

Sample DHA RN Exam (Dubai) practice questions

A selection of free questions with answers and source-cited rationales. Use the interactive modules above for timed, scored drills.

A newborn's stroke volume cannot increase significantly. According to the source, what does the neonate rely on to maintain cardiac output?

  1. Heart rate ✓
  2. Stroke volume
  3. Afterload
  4. Contractility

Why: The source states that because of their limited ability to increase stroke volume, neonates rely heavily on their heart rate to maintain cardiac output; neonatal cardiac output is heart rate dependent.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 17.2 Review of Anatomy & Physiology - Normal Fetal and Neonatal Circulation

The source defines neonatal hypoglycemia as a blood glucose level below which value?

  1. Below 60 mg/dL
  2. Below 50 mg/dL
  3. Below 45 mg/dL
  4. Below 40 mg/dL ✓

Why: The source defines neonatal hypoglycemia as a blood glucose level below 40 mg/dL, which can cause seizures and neurologic damage.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 12.3 Common Complications During the Neonatal Period

A patient experiencing severe anxiety has a greatly reduced perceptual field and appears dazed. According to the source, what is the patient's capacity for learning and problem-solving at this level?

  1. Learning is enhanced and sharply focused
  2. Problem-solving is only mildly reduced
  3. The patient can still learn if information is pointed out
  4. Learning and problem-solving are not possible at this level ✓

Why: The source states that in severe anxiety the perceptual field is greatly reduced, the patient may appear dazed or confused, and learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking are not possible at this level.

Source: Open RN Nursing Mental Health and Community Concepts 2e, 9.2 Basic Concepts

Show more sample questions with answers & rationales

A nurse checks the medication rights three times before administering a drug to prevent an error. Which ethical principle does this action best demonstrate?

  1. Fidelity
  2. Nonmaleficence ✓
  3. Justice
  4. Veracity

Why: The source defines nonmaleficence as the duty to do no harm, balancing avoidable harm against benefits, and gives the example of checking medication rights three times to prevent errors.

Source: Open RN Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, Ethical Practice

Before performing an assessment or providing care, the nurse must use at least two patient identifiers. According to the source, which pair is acceptable?

  1. The patient's name and date of birth, verified against the armband or chart ✓
  2. The patient's room number and bed position
  3. The patient's diagnosis and provider name
  4. The patient's assigned room number combined with their admitting medical diagnosis

Why: The source instructs the nurse to use at least two patient identifiers, such as asking the patient to state their name and date of birth and comparing it to the armband or chart. A room number must never be used as an identifier because a patient may change rooms.

Source: Open RN Nursing Skills, 1.2 Initiating Patient Interaction

According to the source, what is the most common causative organism of an upper respiratory tract infection (common cold)?

  1. Respiratory syncytial virus
  2. Group A streptococcus
  3. Rhinovirus ✓
  4. Parainfluenza virus

Why: The source states that although a variety of infectious organisms can lead to a URI, the most common causative organism is rhinovirus.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 15.5 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

According to the source, the vaginal and rectal swab for group B streptococcus (GBS) is performed at which point, with results valid for up to five weeks?

  1. Earlier, at 28 to 30 weeks
  2. At 32 to 34 weeks
  3. At 39 weeks or later
  4. At 35 to 37 6/7 weeks ✓

Why: The source states GBS testing (along with other third-trimester labs) is performed at 35 to 37 6/7 weeks, so results are available before labor and are valid for up to five weeks. Treatment is given during labor rather than antepartum because GBS can recolonize.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 9.10 Third Trimester Prenatal Care

A nurse is witnessing a patient's surgical consent. Which of the following is one of the three required conditions for valid informed consent?

  1. Consent must be witnessed by two physicians
  2. Consent must be renewed every 24 hours
  3. Consent may be obtained after the sedation is given first
  4. Consent must be given voluntarily, without coercion ✓

Why: The source states consent must be given voluntarily, without any form of persuasion or coercion. The other two conditions are adequate disclosure by the surgeon and the patient's understanding before receiving sedating medications.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Alterations, 2.2 Basic Concepts Related to Surgery

According to the source's settings table, a bag valve mask (Ambu bag) attached to an oxygen source should be set to what flow rate and delivers what FiO2?

  1. Flow rate 15 L/min; FiO2 100% ✓
  2. Flow rate of only 6 L/min delivering an FiO2 of approximately 40 percent
  3. Flow rate 10 L/min; FiO2 60%
  4. Flow rate 2 L/min; FiO2 28%

Why: The source's settings table states the bag valve mask flow rate should be set to 15 L/minute, resulting in an FiO2 of 100%. The bag is squeezed once every 5 to 6 seconds for an adult or once every 3 seconds for an infant or child.

Source: Open RN Nursing Skills, 11.3 Oxygenation Equipment

According to the source, a febrile seizure occurs in children between six months and five years old who have a fever of at least what temperature?

  1. 100.4 degrees F or greater ✓
  2. 102 degrees F or greater
  3. 99 degrees F or greater
  4. 101 degrees F or greater

Why: The source defines a febrile seizure as a generalized seizure in pediatric patients between six months and five years old who have a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or greater, not associated with a CNS infection.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 16.10 Febrile Seizures

According to the source, what is the goal of surgical treatment for an encephalocele?

  1. To drain cerebrospinal fluid into the abdomen
  2. To realign the spine using serial casting
  3. To place the protruding brain tissue back into the skull ✓
  4. To close a hole between the heart's two ventricles

Why: The source states that multiple surgeries may be required to treat encephalocele and place the protruding part of the brain back into the skull. An encephalocele is a sac-like protrusion of brain tissue through an opening in the skull.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 20.6 Congenital and Genetic Disorders

A child is recovering after surgery for hydrocephalus. According to the source, what should parents be taught to monitor for postoperatively?

  1. A gradual decrease in the child's head circumference
  2. Complete resolution of all learning challenges
  3. Redness only at the abdominal reabsorption site
  4. Signs of increasing CSF if the shunt becomes blocked ✓

Why: The source states that postoperatively the child requires routine monitoring, and parents must also monitor the child for signs of increasing CSF that may occur if the shunt should become blocked due to mechanical failure or infection.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 12.6 Congenital Conditions

According to the ANA definition cited in the source, evidence-based practice integrates which three components?

  1. Cost data, staffing ratios, and organizational policy
  2. Physician orders, established agency protocols, accreditation standards, and unit budget goals
  3. Utilization review, budgeting, and resource stewardship
  4. Best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences and values ✓

Why: The source states EBP is a lifelong problem-solving approach integrating (1) the best evidence from well-designed research and evidence-based theories, (2) clinical expertise plus assessment of the patient's history/condition and resources, and (3) patient/family/community preferences and values.

Source: Open RN Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, Quality and Evidence-Based Practice

According to the source, which statement is true of a simple partial seizure?

  1. The patient loses consciousness for 1-3 minutes
  2. It always progresses to a generalized seizure
  3. It causes a sudden loss of all muscle tone
  4. The patient remains conscious throughout the seizure ✓

Why: The source states the patient remains conscious throughout a simple partial seizure. An aura (unusual sensation), often described as a deja vu feeling, a perceived offensive smell, or sudden pain, occurs before the seizure.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Alterations, 9.7 Seizures and Epilepsy

The source states there are two types of stroke. An acute stroke caused by a blockage or occlusion of a cerebral or carotid artery is which type?

  1. Hemorrhagic
  2. Subarachnoid
  3. Ischemic ✓
  4. Aneurysmal

Why: The source states an acute ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage or occlusion of a cerebral or carotid artery, from plaque forming a thrombus or from an embolism. A hemorrhagic stroke is the second type, caused by a compromised vessel that ruptures and bleeds.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Alterations, 9.9 Cerebrovascular Accident

A nurse prepares to flush a patient's central venous catheter. Which syringe size is preferred to avoid excessive pressure?

  1. A 3-mL syringe
  2. A 5-mL syringe
  3. A 20-mL syringe
  4. A 10-mL syringe ✓

Why: The source states using a 10-mL syringe is preferred for CVADs to avoid increased pressure that can cause a potential rupture, and the nurse should never flush against resistance.

Source: Open RN Nursing Advanced Skills, 4.2 Basic Concepts

According to the source, adults with disabilities report experiencing what compared to the general population?

  1. Less mental distress than the general population
  2. No difference in mental distress
  3. More mental distress than the general population ✓
  4. Complete absence of mental health needs

Why: The source states that in addition to challenges accessing health care, adults with disabilities report experiencing more mental distress than the general population, with an estimated 32.9% experiencing frequent mental distress in 2018.

Source: Open RN Nursing Mental Health and Community Concepts 2e, 17.2 Vulnerable Populations

According to the source, infertility is defined as a couple being unable to conceive after what duration of unprotected sex?

  1. One year or longer of unprotected sex ✓
  2. Three months of unprotected sex
  3. Six weeks of unprotected sex
  4. Two years of unprotected sex

Why: The source defines infertility as a couple not being able to get pregnant after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. It states that among women aged 15 to 49 with no prior births, about 1 in 5 are unable to conceive after one year of trying.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 8.6 Fertility

A patient arrives at the emergency department with suspected stroke. Which diagnostic test does the source identify as typically the first performed to determine if a hemorrhagic stroke is occurring?

  1. Carotid duplex ultrasound
  2. CT scan without contrast ✓
  3. Cerebral angiogram
  4. Cardiac echocardiogram

Why: The source states a CT scan without contrast is typically the first diagnostic test performed for a suspected CVA to determine if a hemorrhagic stroke is occurring. If hemorrhage is ruled out, further tests identify potential causes of an ischemic stroke.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Alterations, 9.9 Cerebrovascular Accident

A patient is progressing from NPO status after surgery and is ordered a clear liquid diet. Which item is appropriate for this diet per the source?

  1. Creamed soup and pudding
  2. Apple juice and clear broth ✓
  3. Ground meat and cooked vegetables
  4. Applesauce and mashed potatoes

Why: The source lists clear liquids as fluids that are see-through and without residue, giving examples of water, apple juice, clear soda, Jello, popsicles, and broth. Creamed soups and pudding are full liquids; ground meat and applesauce belong to mechanical soft or pureed diets.

Source: Open RN Nursing Fundamentals 2e, 14.3 Applying the Nursing Process

A patient using a peak flow meter has a reading that is 60% of their personal best, with worsening cough and some limitation of activity. According to the source's asthma action plan, this patient is in which zone?

  1. Yellow Zone ✓
  2. Green Zone
  3. Red Zone
  4. Blue Zone

Why: The source states peak flow readings of 50 to 79% of personal best indicate the Yellow (Caution) Zone, with worsening symptoms and partial activity limitation. Green Zone is at least 80% of personal best; there is no Blue Zone.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Alterations, 6.5 Asthma

A nurse witnesses a car crash in which the only occupant is not breathing inside a burning vehicle. Based on the safety principle in the source, the nurse's first priority is to:

  1. Begin rescue breathing immediately inside the vehicle to restore oxygenation
  2. Perform chest compressions in the car while awaiting emergency services
  3. Check for a carotid pulse before deciding whether to remove the person
  4. Move the person to a safe place before beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation ✓

Why: The source uses this exact scenario to illustrate that safety receives priority: the first priority is not to initiate rescue breathing inside the burning car, but to move the person to a safe place where CPR can be safely provided. The other options ignore the environmental danger the source emphasizes.

Source: Open RN Nursing Fundamentals 2e, 5.2 Basic Safety Concepts

According to the source, a DEXA T-score of what value is diagnostic for osteoporosis?

  1. Between -1 and -2.5
  2. Greater than +1
  3. Lower than -2.5 ✓
  4. Between 0 and -1

Why: The source states a T-score between -1 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia, and a T-score lower than -2.5 is diagnostic for osteoporosis.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Alterations, 10.8 Osteoporosis

A community health nurse evaluates the population's age, gender, race, ethnicity, language, and household composition. According to the source, this falls under which community context factor?

  1. Infrastructure
  2. Economics
  3. Demographics ✓
  4. Government/Politics

Why: The source lists demographics as a community context factor, involving evaluation of key population characteristics such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, language, and household composition.

Source: Open RN Nursing Mental Health and Community Concepts 2e, 16.2 Community Health Concepts

As hepatitis progresses, which cluster of signs does the source describe?

  1. Jaundice, light-colored stools, and dark-colored urine ✓
  2. Bright red rectal bleeding with high fever and chills
  3. Productive cough, wheezing, and pleuritic chest pain
  4. Swelling of multiple joints with a widespread skin rash

Why: The source states that as the disorder progresses, jaundice, right upper quadrant pain, an enlarged liver, light-colored stools, and dark-colored urine may occur. Early signs are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Alterations, 11.15 Hepatitis

Per the source, cyanotic congenital heart defects involve shunting of blood in which direction, causing hypoxia?

  1. Left to right through the heart
  2. Right to left through the heart ✓
  3. Aorta to pulmonary artery
  4. Atrium to ventricle only

Why: The source states cyanotic heart defects involve right to left shunting of blood, causing deoxygenated blood to bypass the lungs and be pumped to the body, resulting in decreased oxygen saturation and cyanosis.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 17.3 Categories of Congenital Heart Defects - Acyanotic and Cyanotic Defects

A patient receives an IV antibiotic that requires trough-level monitoring. When should the nurse expect the trough blood level to be drawn?

  1. At the time the medication is being administered and is known to be highest in the bloodstream
  2. At the exact midpoint between two scheduled doses of the medication
  3. Right before the next dose, when the drug is at its lowest in the bloodstream ✓
  4. Immediately at the start of the very first infusion of the drug

Why: The source defines a trough level as drawn when the drug is at its lowest in the bloodstream, right before the next dose is given. A peak level (not trough) is drawn when the medication is at its highest level. Correct timing of these draws with administration is essential.

Source: Open RN Nursing Pharmacology 2e, 1.10 Medication Safety

A patient in preterm labor has a prescription for terbutaline. The nurse reviews the record and knows to question the order for which finding stated in the source?

  1. A maternal heart rate that is greater than 120 beats per minute ✓
  2. A maternal blood pressure of 118/70 with no reported symptoms
  3. A maternal respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute at rest
  4. A maternal temperature of 37 degrees Celsius on admission

Why: The source lists tachycardia greater than 120 beats per minute among the contraindications to terbutaline, along with ischemic heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, and hyperthyroidism. Terbutaline also carries a boxed warning against prolonged use for more than 48 to 72 hours.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 19.10 Preterm Labor

A premature infant has a patent ductus arteriosus. According to the source, which medication may be given soon after birth to trigger the ductus arteriosus to constrict and close?

  1. Prostaglandin E1 infusion
  2. Ibuprofen (an NSAID) ✓
  3. Digoxin
  4. Furosemide

Why: The source states NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or indomethacin may be prescribed for a patent ductus arteriosus; when administered soon after birth, they trigger the PDA to constrict and close. Ibuprofen has a PDA closure efficacy of approximately 70-85%.

Source: Open RN Nursing Health Promotion, 17.5 Applying the Nursing Process to Congenital Heart Defects

A nurse describes the National Patient Safety Goals to a student. Which description is accurate according to the source?

  1. Foundational ethical principles that guide nurses in making everyday clinical decisions
  2. A payment model that ties a hospital's reimbursement to measured patient outcomes and satisfaction
  3. Annual goals and recommendations tailored to seven types of health care agencies based on safety data ✓
  4. A structured mnemonic used for standardizing handoff communication between shift changes

Why: The source describes National Patient Safety Goals as goals and recommendations published annually by the hospital accreditation body, tailored to seven different types of health care agencies based on patient safety data from experts and stakeholders, and including evidence-based interventions.

Source: Open RN Nursing Fundamentals, National Patient Safety Goals