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May 14, 2026
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Nurse Licensing Exam is a mandatory assessment for nurses who want to work in Dubai’s healthcare sector. The exam evaluates clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the ability to apply evidence-based nursing practices in real healthcare situations.
Conducted by the Dubai Health Authority and delivered through Prometric, the computer-based exam is designed to ensure nurses meet international patient care and safety standards. The syllabus covers key areas such as medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, infection control, patient safety, and professional ethics.
This page includes free DHA nurse exam sample questions with answers and clinical explanations to help you understand the exam pattern and improve your preparation. All questions are aligned with the latest 2026 Prometric syllabus.
If you're unfamiliar with the DHA exam process, start with our complete guide to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Exam.
The DHA Registered Nurse exam uses only MCQs. No essays. No practicals. No short answers. Every question is scenario-based. Memorising facts alone will not be enough to pass.
Practising MCQs helps you in four ways:
If you want a detailed breakdown of the exam structure, topics, and scoring system, check the complete DHA Nurses exam syllabus and pattern before starting your preparation.
Here are the key details of the DHA Nurses Exam in 2026.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (Prometric) |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs |
| Time Allowed | 165 minutes (approximately 66 seconds per question) |
| Passing Score | 50% — you need 75 correct answers out of 150 |
| Negative Marking | None — always attempt every question |
| Attempts Allowed | Up to 3 attempts |
| Score Validity | 1 year from the date of passing |
| Exam Fee | AED 2,800 – AED 3,200 |
| Result | Pass or Fail only — available in Sheryan within 2 working days |
For a detailed overview of licensing costs, read our guide on DHA exam fees in Dubai.
(Delegation, Safety, Patient Assessment & Ethics)
Questions 1–10 are sourced from DHA RN clinical scenario questions. Each includes the correct answer and full clinical reasoning.
A. Patient on strict bed rest
B. Patient for discharge teaching
C. Patient scheduled for an operation
D. Patient hooked to mechanical ventilation
A. Cheaper
B. Dries rapidly
C. Smooth external surface
D. Shapes closely to body parts
A. Assess and document visual acuity of both eyes
B. Knowledge to prevent eye injury after surgery
C. Cleanliness of eye and removal of eyeglasses
A. Responsibility
B. Accountability
C. Assertiveness
D. Leadership
A. Intravenous infusion
B. Oxygen administration
C. Cervical immobilization
D. Trendelenburg position
A. Calm her down and reassure for an appropriate solution
B. Provide moral support and book her for the procedure
C. Repeat ultrasound and wait a few more weeks
D. Family counselling and follow religious guidance
A. Bright red and moist stoma
B. Dark red and purple skin around the stoma
C. Bloody liquid in pouch
D. Ulcerations with a rash
A. Color
B. Edema
C. Absence of stool
A. Sepsis
B. Atelectasis
C. Congestive heart failure
D. Emphysema
A. Avoid using the word 'pain'
B. Screen for pain at each encounter
C. Discourage around-the-clock analgesia
D. Administer analgesics via injection whenever possible
| Q.No | Answer Key | Eplanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A: Patient on strict bed rest | Delegation to a new nurse should involve only stable, low-complexity patients. Discharge teaching requires assessment and communication skills. Pre-operative and ventilated patients demand experienced nursing judgement. Patient on strict bed rest = safest, most stable option. |
| 2 | B: Dries rapidly | Fiberglass casts dry and harden within 30 minutes versus 24–72 hours for plaster. They are also lighter and more water-resistant. Note: Plaster casts conform better to body contours (option D), that is a plaster advantage, not fiberglass. Cost is also lower for plaster (option A is wrong). |
| 3 | A: Assess and document visual acuity of both eyes |
Since the patient has no vision in the left eye, documenting baseline visual acuity of BOTH eyes before surgery is the critical preoperative safety step. If the operative eye loses vision, the nurse must ensure the remaining eye's function was documented and is protected. This is a patient safety priority.
|
| 4 | B. Accountability | Accountability means owning your actions and their consequences — including errors. Responsibility refers to accepting assigned tasks before they occur. The nurse did not just do her duty (responsibility) — she answered for a mistake she made (accountability). This distinction is frequently tested in DHA nursing jurisprudence. |
| 5 | C. Cervical immobilization | In any head trauma with mechanism of injury involving the neck, cervical spine injury must be assumed until ruled out. SpO₂ is 99% so oxygen is not immediately urgent. Trendelenburg is CONTRAINDICATED in head injury as it increases intracranial pressure. Cervical immobilization prevents catastrophic spinal cord damage — first priority. |
| 6 | A. Calm her down and reassure for an appropriate solution | The immediate nursing priority is therapeutic communication — calm the patient, de-escalate, and provide emotional support. Booking a gender-based abortion is ethically and legally prohibited. Repeating the ultrasound changes nothing clinically. Referring to family counselling is appropriate as a next step, but the immediate action is reassurance and appropriate referral — not arranging a procedure. |
| 7 | B. Dark red and purple skin around the stoma | A healthy new stoma should be BRIGHT RED and MOIST — indicating good blood supply and perfusion. Dark red or purple colouration indicates ischaemia or vascular compromise — a potential surgical emergency requiring immediate reporting to the surgeon. A small amount of bloody liquid in the pouch is expected in the early post-operative period. |
| 8 | A. Color | Stoma colour is the most critical assessment indicator for stoma viability. Dark red to purple colour = ischaemia and possible necrosis — this is the emergency finding. Mild oedema is expected post-operatively. Absence of stool output is normal in the early post-operative period as the bowel recovers from surgery. Color must be reported immediately. |
| 9 | B. Atelectasis | Post-operative pain causes splinting (shallow breathing), leading to alveolar collapse — atelectasis. Classic signs include diminished breath sounds, low SpO₂ (89%), and shortness of breath in the days following abdominal surgery. Temperature is normal (rules out sepsis at this point). Treatment includes incentive spirometry, deep breathing exercises, and adequate analgesia to allow full lung expansion. |
| 10 | B. Screen for pain at each encounter | Pain is the fifth vital sign. International pain management standards (JCI, WHO) mandate that every patient is assessed for pain at every encounter using a validated scale. The nurse should use the word 'pain' clearly, not avoid it. Around-the-clock analgesia is often appropriate for chronic or post-operative pain and should not be discouraged routinely. |
Train with experts, practise MCQs, and follow a structured plan.
(Infection Control, IV Therapy, Emergency & Post-Operative Care)
Questions 11–20 are sourced from the DHA Prometric Nursing question set.
A. Apply heat to the area
B. Massage the reddened area
C. Reposition the patient every 2 hours
D. Apply tight dressing
|
Answer C: Reposition the patient every 2 hours Explanation: Non-blanching redness = Stage 1 pressure injury (NPUAP/EPUAP 2019 classification). Frequent repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure and prevents progression to a deeper wound. Massaging is CONTRAINDICATED — it damages capillary beds and worsens ischaemia. Heat increases metabolic oxygen demand. Tight dressings restrict circulation.
|
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Stop the IV infusion
C. Apply warm compress
D. Elevate the limb only
|
Answer B: Stop the IV infusion Explanation: Swelling, coolness, and pallor at the IV site = infiltration (fluid leaking into surrounding tissue instead of the vein). The FIRST action is always to stop the infusion to prevent further tissue damage and pain. After stopping: remove the cannula, elevate the limb, and apply a warm compress for isotonic fluids. Do not slow the rate — stop it entirely. |
A. Room number and bed number
B. Patient's name and ID band
C. Diagnosis and age
D. Asking another nurse
|
Answer B: Patient's name and ID band Explanation: JCI/WHO Patient Safety Goal #1 requires at least two patient identifiers before any medication administration. Patient name and ID band are the standard two identifiers. Room and bed numbers are NOT identifiers — patients can be moved between beds. Diagnosis and age could theoretically match multiple patients. Another nurse asking verbally does not replace direct verification.
|
A. Increase salt intake immediately
B. Sit up slowly before standing
C. Restrict fluids
D. Administer oxygen
|
Answer B. Sit up slowly before standing Explanation: Dizziness when standing is commonly caused by orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure during position changes. Advising the patient to sit up slowly before standing helps the body adjust gradually and reduces the risk of falls or fainting.
|
A. Non-rebreather mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Simple face mask
D. High-flow nasal cannula
|
Answer B. Venturi mask Explanation: The Venturi mask is preferred for COPD patients because it delivers a precise and controlled concentration of oxygen. This helps prevent excessive oxygen administration, which can reduce the patient’s respiratory drive and increase the risk of carbon dioxide (CO₂) retention.
|
A. Wash with water only
B. Use alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)
C. Wipe with a dry towel
D. Wear gloves only
|
Answer B : Use alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) Explanation: WHO Hand Hygiene Guidelines: Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is the preferred method when hands are NOT visibly soiled. ABHR is faster, more effective against most pathogens, and less damaging to skin than repeated soap-and-water washing. Soap and water MUST be used when: hands are visibly soiled, after Clostridium difficile exposure, or after Norovirus exposure.
|
A. Radial
B. Brachial
C. Carotid
D. Pedal
|
Answer C : Carotid Explanation: BLS/ACLS guidelines: For an unresponsive adult, check the CAROTID pulse. It is the most central and strongest pulse — detectable even when blood pressure is very low or peripheral pulses are absent. Radial and pedal pulses are peripheral and may be absent in shock. Note: Brachial pulse is used for pulse checks in INFANTS, not adults.
|
A. Restrict movement
B. Encourage leg exercises
C. Apply heat packs
D. Limit fluid intake
|
Answer B : Encourage leg exercises Explanation: Venous stasis is the primary DVT risk in immobile post-operative patients (Virchow's triad). Leg exercises — ankle pumps, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion — activate the calf muscle pump, which improves venous return and reduces clot formation risk. This is combined with compression stockings, early ambulation, and pharmacological prophylaxis (LMWH) as prescribed.
|
A. Tilt head backward
B. Lie flat on the bed
C. Lean forward and pinch nose
D. Blow nose forcefully
|
Answer C: Lean forward and pinch nose Explanation: Leaning forward prevents aspiration; pressure stops bleeding.
|
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. Fowler’s position
D. Prone
|
Answer C : Fowler’s position Explanation: Fowler’s position helps improve lung expansion and breathing efficiency by allowing the diaphragm to move more freely. Keeping the patient in an upright position also improves oxygenation and reduces respiratory distress.
|
Do not just answer questions randomly. Follow this structured approach used by high-scoring candidates.
Get expert guidance with DHA Course or prepare from home with the DHA Online Course.
Avoid these errors. They are the most common reasons candidates do not pass.
Read our full guide on DHA exam tips and strategies for nurses for a complete preparation plan.
| AI Use Case | How to Use It |
|---|---|
| Generate topic MCQs | Ask AI to create 10 questions on pressure ulcer care or infection control at DHA Prometric difficulty. Request 4 options each. |
| Build a study schedule | Tell AI your exam date and daily study hours. Ask it to generate an 8-week plan covering all DHA nurse topics. |
| Explain clinical concepts | Ask: 'Why does atelectasis occur after abdominal surgery and what nursing interventions prevent it?' Get step-by-step reasoning. |
| Analyse your error log | Paste your wrong answers into AI and ask it to identify your weak areas and suggest what to study next. |
| Understand examiner thinking | Ask: 'Why would DHA ask about Venturi mask in COPD?' This helps you understand the clinical reasoning behind common exam topics. |
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⚠ Important Warning Always verify AI-generated answers against official clinical references: WHO guidelines, JCI standards, NPUAP pressure ulcer classifications, and BLS/ACLS guidelines. AI can generate plausible but clinically incorrect information. Use AI to generate practice material and explain concepts — not as your sole study source. |
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