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DOH Leadership, Ethics & Prioritisation Practice Questions
Leadership questions test which patient to see first, what can be delegated, ethical principles and safe communication such as SBAR handover. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DOH Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Prioritisation: ABCs and unstable vs stable
- Delegation to nursing assistants
- SBAR handover
- Ethical principles and confidentiality
- Informed consent and advocacy
- Disaster triage (START)
The full bank has 70 leadership, ethics & prioritisation questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DOH leadership, ethics & prioritisation questions
1. Which action best supports effective multidisciplinary teamwork?
- A. Keeping nursing concerns out of ward rounds
- B. Communicating only through written notes
- C. Deferring every decision to the most senior doctor
- D. Sharing relevant observations clearly and respectfully with the team
Show answer and rationale
Clear, respectful and timely sharing of information among professionals improves coordination and patient safety.
Reference: WHO Patient Safety – teamwork
2. A nurse receives a verbal order in an emergency. What should the nurse do?
- A. Carry it out without recording it
- B. Wait until the doctor writes it before acting in the emergency
- C. Ask another nurse to remember it
- D. Read the order back to confirm it and document it as soon as possible
Show answer and rationale
Verbal orders should be read back to confirm accuracy, and documented and signed per policy as soon as possible.
Reference: Standard patient safety – verbal orders and read-back
3. Which documentation practice is correct?
- A. Documenting medications before giving them to save time
- B. Recording objective, factual observations as soon as possible after care
- C. Writing entries for a colleague who forgot to document
- D. Using vague terms such as 'had a good day'
Show answer and rationale
Documentation should be timely, accurate, factual and objective, and only for care the nurse personally provided.
Reference: Potter & Perry Fundamentals – documentation
4. A patient signed a consent form for surgery yesterday but now says they have changed their mind. What should the nurse do?
- A. Inform the surgeon and document that the patient withdrew consent
- B. Tell the patient the form is legally binding
- C. Proceed because consent was already given
- D. Give a sedative to calm the patient
Show answer and rationale
Consent can be withdrawn at any time. The nurse informs the surgeon and documents the patient's decision.
Reference: Standard nursing ethics – informed consent
5. A nurse is asked to work on an unfamiliar specialist unit and to perform a procedure they have not been trained in. What is the most appropriate action?
- A. Perform the procedure by following the manufacturer's leaflet
- B. Inform the nurse in charge of the skill gap and accept only tasks within competence
- C. Refuse to go to the unit at all
- D. Ask the patient how the procedure is usually done
Show answer and rationale
Nurses must practise within their competence. They should accept the assignment but clearly communicate which tasks they cannot safely perform.
Reference: Standard nursing professional practice – scope and competence
Study tip
For 'who first' questions, look for the patient whose airway, breathing or circulation is at risk right now.
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