NCNZ IQN theoretical examination (enrolled nurse)

Exam at a glance

Questions

90

Duration

135 minutes

Pass mark

not published

Sections

Part A: 9 questions, 25 min; Part B: 81 questions, 110 min · OSCE: 8 stations, Christchurch

Exam type

Written and oral/practical

Language

English

Authority

NCNZ

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 13 modules · 298 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Adult physiological conditions: cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and metabolic care30 questions · 10.1 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: anatomy of the heart
   • Foundations: conduction system and cardiac cycle
   • Foundations: circulation and blood vessels
   • Foundations: anatomy of the respiratory tract
   • Foundations: alveoli and gas exchange
   • Foundations: mechanics and control of breathing

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 66-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes who takes gliclazide is found sweaty, shaky and anxious. She is alert and able to swallow. Her blood glucose is 3.2 mmol/L. What should the EN do first?

   AGive glucagon 1 mg intramuscularly and place her in the recovery positionBOffer a slice of wholegrain toast and recheck the glucose in 1 hourCGive a glass of diet soft drink and encourage her to restDGive 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate, such as 150 mL of juice, and recheck in 15 minutes

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Aged care, dementia and palliative care21 questions · 7 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   At 1630 a resident with moderate dementia is pacing near the front door of the aged care home. She says she must go home to cook dinner for her children. Which response by the enrolled nurse is most appropriate?

   ARemind her that her children are adults and that she now lives in the home permanentlyBAcknowledge her concern, walk with her and offer a familiar activity such as folding towelsCAsk the registered nurse to give a sedative so she settles before dinner is servedDTell her to sit down and wait quietly because the doors are locked for her safety

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Nursing assessment, vital signs and recognising deterioration29 questions · 9.7 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   An enrolled nurse on a medical ward is asked by the registered nurse (RN) to take the morning observations for four patients. Which action best reflects the enrolled nurse's role in assessment?

   AComplete the comprehensive admission assessment alone and decide the priorities of the care planBDecide that results close to normal do not need to be passed on to the registered nurseCCollect and record accurate data, recognise results outside the expected range and report them to the RNDHand the observation task to an assistant in nursing and record the results without reviewing them

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Medication and fluid calculations16 questions · 5.4 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A postoperative patient has a prescription for sodium chloride 0.9% 1000 mL intravenously over 8 hours using a volumetric infusion pump. At what rate should the enrolled nurse set the pump?

   A100 mL/hourB125 mL/hourC150 mL/hourD200 mL/hour

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Clinical skills: wound care, elimination, nutrition, personal hygiene and pain management18 questions · 6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: patient positions and peripheral intravenous cannulas
   • Foundations: urinary catheters and nasogastric tubes
   • Foundations: safe medication administration and injections
   • Foundations: preventing and staging pressure injuries

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   An enrolled nurse assists a registered nurse to assess a healing pressure injury on a resident's heel. The wound bed is moist and bright red with a bumpy, granular surface, and there is a small amount of clear serous exudate. Which term best describes the tissue in the wound bed?

   AEscharBSloughCGranulation tissueDNecrotic tissue

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Communication, therapeutic relationships and clinical handover (ISBAR)27 questions · 9.1 % of the bank
7. 07Cultural safety and the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori21 questions · 7 % of the bank
8. 08Infection prevention and control24 questions · 8.1 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: hand-rub technique and personal protective equipment
9. 09Maternal and child health nursing care15 questions · 5 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
   • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
   • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull
   • Foundations: the newborn and the transition after birth
   • Foundations: growth and development
   • Foundations: the child's airway, vital signs and resuscitation
10. 10Medication safety and administration30 questions · 10.1 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: safe medication administration and injections
    • Foundations: preventing and staging pressure injuries
11. 11Mental health and psychosocial care24 questions · 8.1 % of the bank
12. 12Work health and safety, falls prevention, safe handling and emergencies15 questions · 5 % of the bank
13. 13Professional standards, scope of practice and delegation for the enrolled nurse28 questions · 9.4 % of the bank

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From registration to licence

The usual steps with NCNZ. Details can change; check the current rules with NCNZ before you register.

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with NCNZ and submit the application.
3. Receive the exam eligibility and book a date with the test centre.
4. Sit the exam. Results usually come within days.
5. After passing: complete licensing (for example primary source verification) and receive your licence.

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