NCNZ OSCE (registered nurse)

Exam at a glance

Questions

not published

Duration

not published

Pass mark

not published

Sections

10 stations × 12 minutes after a 2-day orientation course, Nurse Maude, Christchurch

Exam type

Practical

Language

English

Authority

NCNZ

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 10 modules · 724 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01The deteriorating patient and acute care92 questions · 12.7 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: ABCDE approach and airway basics
   • Foundations: life-threatening chest emergencies
   • Foundations: shock, burns and sepsis

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A patient's respiratory rate is in the red zone of the Adult Deterioration Detection System (ADDS) chart. What should the nurse do?

   ARecheck the observation in 4 hoursBDocument it and tell the team at handoverCCall a rapid response (MET) call nowDIncrease observations to 2-hourly

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

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Basic care and comfort27 questions · 3.7 % of the bank

   Chapters

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

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   Which position should the nurse use for a patient receiving continuous nasogastric feeding, unless contraindicated?

   AFlat supine with one pillow under the headBLeft lateral with the head of bed flatCHead of bed raised to 30 degrees or moreDProne with head turned to one side

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

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Medication safety and calculations15 questions · 2.1 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A patient on a surgical ward is prescribed amoxicillin 375 mg orally. The pharmacy supplies amoxicillin suspension 250 mg/5 mL. What volume should the registered nurse give?

   A5 mLB3.3 mLC7.5 mLD15 mL

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

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Priorities, delegation and care coordination86 questions · 11.9 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   Under the NMBA Decision-making framework, who is accountable for the decision to delegate a nursing task to an assistant in nursing?

   AThe registered nurse who delegated the taskBThe assistant in nursing who accepted the taskCThe nurse unit manager of the wardDThe medical officer in charge of the patient

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

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Health promotion across the lifespan106 questions · 14.6 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   Which vaccine is given to a healthy newborn in an Australian hospital soon after birth under the National Immunisation Program?

   ABCG vaccine for every newborn babyBRotavirus oral vaccine given on day oneCHepatitis BDMeasles-mumps-rubella vaccine at birth

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

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Professional practice, law and cultural safety18 questions · 2.5 % of the bank
7. 07Pharmacology and parenteral therapy83 questions · 11.5 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: safe medication administration and injections
   • Foundations: preventing and staging pressure injuries
   • Foundations: dosage forms and inhaler technique
   • Foundations: the concentration–time curve and receptor types
8. 08Mental health and psychosocial care77 questions · 10.6 % of the bank
9. 09Reducing risk: tests, procedures and perioperative care81 questions · 11.2 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: patient positions and peripheral intravenous cannulas
   • Foundations: urinary catheters and nasogastric tubes
   • Foundations: abdominal anatomy and the acute abdomen
   • Foundations: hernias and the biliary system
   • Foundations: wound healing and perioperative basics
10. 10Safety and infection prevention139 questions · 19.2 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: hand-rub technique and personal protective equipment

What you get

• Question bank with a detailed explanation for every answer
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• AI oral examiner for practising the oral or practical part

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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