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SNLE 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 Saudi Nursing Licensure Exam (SNLE), 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 SNLE emergency & critical care questions
1. Which two cardiac arrest rhythms are treated with defibrillation?
- A. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
- B. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
- C. Sinus bradycardia and asystole
- D. Atrial fibrillation and pulseless electrical activity
Show answer and rationale
VF and pulseless VT are the shockable rhythms. Asystole and PEA are non-shockable and are managed with CPR, adrenaline and treatment of reversible causes.
Reference: AHA ACLS 2020
2. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR when no advanced airway is in place?
- A. 15:2
- B. 5:1
- C. 30:2
- D. 15:1
Show answer and rationale
For adults, one or two rescuers use a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths when there is no advanced airway.
Reference: AHA BLS 2020
3. Which set of parameters is used to calculate a typical early warning score such as NEWS2?
- A. Height, weight, BMI and waist circumference
- B. Respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulse, consciousness and temperature
- C. Pain score, bowel sounds and urine colour
- D. Serum sodium, potassium and creatinine
Show answer and rationale
Early warning scores combine routine physiological observations, including respiratory rate, SpO2, supplemental oxygen use, blood pressure, pulse, level of consciousness and temperature, to detect deterioration.
Reference: Royal College of Physicians NEWS2
4. How should a traumatically amputated finger be prepared for transport with the patient?
- A. Placed directly on ice
- B. Immersed in tap water
- C. Wrapped in moist sterile gauze, sealed in a plastic bag and placed on ice water
- D. Wrapped in dry cotton wool at room temperature
Show answer and rationale
The part should be wrapped in moist sterile gauze, sealed in a bag and kept cool in ice water. Direct contact with ice causes frostbite damage and immersion causes tissue maceration.
Reference: Trauma nursing – amputation
5. A patient with heat exhaustion is alert, sweating heavily and has a temperature of 38.4 °C. What is the most appropriate initial management?
- A. Give an antipyretic and send the patient back to work
- B. Move to a cool place, rest, loosen clothing and give oral fluids
- C. Immediate intubation
- D. Apply warm blankets to prevent shivering
Show answer and rationale
Heat exhaustion is managed by removing the patient from the heat, resting, cooling and oral rehydration with fluids containing electrolytes. It can progress to heat stroke if untreated.
Reference: Emergency nursing – heat-related illness
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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