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DHA Emergency & Critical Care Practice Questions
Emergency questions test BLS and ACLS knowledge, shock, anaphylaxis, sepsis and heat illness, which is highly relevant in the Gulf. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DHA Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Adult, child and infant CPR (AHA guidelines)
- Shockable vs non-shockable rhythms
- Anaphylaxis and IM adrenaline
- Types of shock
- Sepsis and early warning signs
- Heat stroke vs heat exhaustion
The full bank has 100 emergency & critical care questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DHA emergency & critical care questions
1. A woman in late pregnancy is choking and cannot speak or cough. Which technique should be used?
- A. Chest thrusts
- B. Abdominal thrusts
- C. Back blows only
- D. Encouraging her to lie on her back
Show answer and rationale
Chest thrusts are used instead of abdominal thrusts for choking victims who are in late pregnancy or too obese for the rescuer to encircle the abdomen.
Reference: AHA BLS 2020 – choking
2. A central venous catheter has just been inserted via the subclavian vein. What must be done before the line is used for infusions?
- A. Flush it with 50 mL of saline
- B. Change the dressing
- C. Confirm tip position with a chest X-ray
- D. Measure the patient's temperature
Show answer and rationale
A chest X-ray confirms correct tip position and excludes complications such as pneumothorax before a jugular or subclavian central line is used.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – central venous access
3. A patient with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 26 breaths per minute, systolic blood pressure of 94 mmHg and new confusion. What should the nurse suspect?
- A. Anxiety related to hospitalisation
- B. Sepsis with possible organ dysfunction
- C. Expected findings in pneumonia
- D. Fluid overload
Show answer and rationale
A respiratory rate of 22 or more, systolic BP of 100 mmHg or less and altered mentation are the qSOFA criteria; with a known infection they strongly suggest sepsis and require urgent escalation.
Reference: Surviving Sepsis Campaign – sepsis recognition
4. A 4-year-old child is receiving rescue breaths with oxygen. The heart rate is 50 beats per minute and the child remains pale with poor perfusion despite adequate ventilation. What is the priority action?
- A. Continue rescue breaths only and recheck in 5 minutes
- B. Give oral glucose
- C. Start chest compressions
- D. Place the child in the recovery position
Show answer and rationale
In an infant or child, a heart rate below 60 per minute with signs of poor perfusion despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation is treated with chest compressions.
Reference: AHA Paediatric BLS 2020
5. Four patients arrive in the emergency department at the same time. Which patient should be triaged as the highest priority?
- A. A patient with a sprained ankle and moderate swelling
- B. A patient with chest pain, diaphoresis and a heart rate of 40 beats per minute
- C. A patient with a laceration to the hand that has stopped bleeding
- D. A patient with a sore throat and a temperature of 38.2 °C
Show answer and rationale
Chest pain with diaphoresis and marked bradycardia suggests an acute coronary syndrome with haemodynamic compromise, a potentially life-threatening condition needing immediate care.
Reference: Emergency nursing – triage
Study tip
Know the CPR numbers exactly: rate 100–120 per minute, depth 5–6 cm in adults, and 30:2 without an advanced airway.
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