Free DOH School Nurse mock test

School Nurse sample questions with answers

10 more original exam-style School Nurse questions, worked in full. They are not real or recalled exam questions, and none of them is in the mock above or on the bank page, so sit the mock first if you have not.

1. Question 1 · Chronic Conditions and Allergies at School

   Before PE, a student with type 1 diabetes has glucose 18 mmol/L, moderate blood ketones and has vomited twice. What is the best action?

   1. ALet the student join PE because exercise lowers ketones
   2. BNo exercise, follow the sick-day plan and seek urgent medical advice
   3. COffer extra fruit juice to correct dehydration
   4. DWithhold insulin until the vomiting stops
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. No exercise, follow the sick-day plan and seek urgent medical advice

   Raised ketones with vomiting suggest evolving ketoacidosis, so exercise is avoided and the plan and urgent medical review are needed. Exercise can worsen ketosis, juice adds glucose to an already high level, and stopping insulin accelerates ketone production.

   Reference: ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines: Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State (2022)

2. Question 2 · Chronic Conditions and Allergies at School

   A 25 kg child is in anaphylaxis and the school holds adrenaline 1 mg/mL ampoules. What volume gives the standard intramuscular dose of 0.01 mg/kg?

   1. A0.025 mL
   2. B2.5 mL
   3. C0.25 mL
   4. D0.5 mL
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. 0.25 mL

   The dose is 0.01 mg/kg, so 25 kg needs 0.25 mg, which is 0.25 mL of the 1 mg/mL (1:1000) solution. A tenfold error gives 0.025 or 2.5 mL, and 0.5 mL is the adult dose.

   Reference: World Allergy Organization Anaphylaxis Guidance (2020)

3. Question 3 · Chronic Conditions and Allergies at School

   A student with asthma cannot speak a full sentence, is using accessory muscles and has SpO2 of 90% after two puffs of salbutamol. What is the best action?

   1. AObserving for 30 minutes before deciding what to do next
   2. BAmbulance call and repeated salbutamol via a spacer
   3. CSwitching to a preventer inhaler instead of salbutamol
   4. DSending her home with a guardian to rest for the evening
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Ambulance call and repeated salbutamol via a spacer

   Inability to speak in sentences and hypoxia indicate a severe exacerbation needing emergency transfer, with reliever given repeatedly in the meantime. Observation, a preventer or sending the child home all delay urgent care.

   Reference: Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Report (2025 update)

4. Question 4 · Communicable Disease Prevention and Control

   A case of measles is confirmed in a class. Which action best protects susceptible contacts?

   1. ACheck immunity, give MMR within 72 hours to susceptible contacts and notify the health authority
   2. BGive the class an antibiotic as prophylaxis
   3. CClose the school for two days and reopen
   4. DAdvise classmates to wash their hands more often
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Check immunity, give MMR within 72 hours to susceptible contacts and notify the health authority

   Measles vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure can prevent disease in susceptible contacts, and measles is a notifiable disease. Antibiotics do not act on a virus, a brief closure does not remove exposure, and handwashing does not prevent airborne spread.

   Reference: CDC, Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Measles chapter (2019)

5. Question 5 · Child and Adolescent Growth and Development

   A 3-year-old in the school's early years class used to speak in short phrases but now says almost nothing and no longer turns when her name is called. What is the most appropriate action?

   1. APicture cards in class, with a speech review at the end of term
   2. BReassurance to the guardians that this is a passing phase of development
   3. CUrgent developmental and hearing referral, as loss of skills is a red flag
   4. DObservation for six months, because speech often dips at this age in early years
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Urgent developmental and hearing referral, as loss of skills is a red flag

   Regression, meaning loss of language or social skills already gained, is a developmental red flag that needs prompt assessment, including hearing. Waiting, reassurance or classroom strategies alone delay diagnosis and early intervention.

   Reference: Zubler JM et al., Evidence-informed milestones for developmental surveillance tools, Pediatrics (2022)

6. Question 6 · Communicable Disease Prevention and Control

   A student with type 1 diabetes has just used a lancet for a glucose check in the school clinic. How should it be disposed of?

   1. AWrapped in tissue and put in the clinic waste bag for later collection
   2. BRinsed with alcohol and kept in the drawer for the student's next test
   3. CRecapped carefully with two hands and put in the general waste bin
   4. DPut straight into a puncture-resistant sharps container, not recapped
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Put straight into a puncture-resistant sharps container, not recapped

   Sharps go into a puncture-resistant container at the point of use, without recapping, to prevent needle-stick injury and blood-borne infection. Recapping and bagging cause injuries, and lancets must not be reused.

   Reference: WHO, Safe management of wastes from health-care activities, 2nd edition (2014)

7. Question 7 · Chronic Conditions and Allergies at School

   A student with asthma usually coughs and wheezes in the second half of PE lessons. Which step best helps prevent this?

   1. ATaking the preventer inhaler after the lesson ends
   2. BStarting the lesson with a hard sprint to open up the airways early on
   3. CA gradual warm-up and the prescribed reliever shortly before exercise
   4. DExcusing the student from PE and sport
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. A gradual warm-up and the prescribed reliever shortly before exercise

   A warm-up and a pre-exercise reliever as prescribed reduce exercise-induced symptoms, and children with asthma should stay active. Exclusion from sport harms fitness, a preventer taken afterwards cannot prevent symptoms, and a sudden sprint can trigger bronchoconstriction.

   Reference: Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Report (2025 update)

8. Question 8 · First Aid and Emergency Care

   After outdoor sport in 42 C heat, a 15-year-old is confused, has hot skin and a rectal temperature of 40.5 C. What is the first priority?

   1. AWrapping him in a blanket to prevent shivering
   2. BOral fluids and rest in the shade for 30 minutes
   3. CRapid whole-body cooling, ideally cold water immersion, and an ambulance call
   4. DParacetamol and a cool drink, then reassessment of his temperature in an hour
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Rapid whole-body cooling, ideally cold water immersion, and an ambulance call

   Confusion with a core temperature above 40 C is exertional heat stroke, and survival depends on cooling within minutes, best by cold water immersion, before and during transfer. Oral fluids and rest are inadequate, antipyretics do not work in heat stroke, and blankets raise body temperature.

   Reference: Casa DJ et al., National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses, Journal of Athletic Training (2015)

9. Question 9 · Mental Health and Child Protection

   A 12-year-old reports that classmates repeatedly send her hurtful messages online, and she dreads coming to school. What should the nurse do?

   1. ATell her to ignore the messages, because they usually stop on their own
   2. BListen, document, support her and refer to the school wellbeing lead
   3. CMeet the classmates alone and tell them to apologise
   4. DAdvise the guardians to move her to another school
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Listen, document, support her and refer to the school wellbeing lead

   Bullying needs a supportive, documented response and referral through the school's wellbeing or safeguarding procedure so it can be tackled systematically. Telling her to ignore it dismisses the harm, the nurse confronting the others alone bypasses policy, and transfer is not a first step.

   Reference: UNESCO, Behind the numbers: Ending school violence and bullying (2019)

10. Question 10 · Professional Practice, Ethics and UAE Law

    The nurse notices that a student was given another student's daily tablet by mistake. What is the correct sequence?

    1. AMake the student vomit before telling anyone
    2. BSay nothing if the student seems well, to avoid alarm
    3. CRecord it in personal notes and inform nobody
    4. DAssess and monitor the student, inform the guardian and prescriber, then document and report
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. Assess and monitor the student, inform the guardian and prescriber, then document and report

    Safety comes first: assess, monitor and take medical advice, then inform the guardian and report through the incident system so the school can learn. Concealment breaches the guardian's right to be informed, private notes avoid accountability, and inducing vomiting is unsafe.

    Reference: WHO, Medication Without Harm: Global Patient Safety Challenge on Medication Safety (2017)