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NMC CBT 2026 · Adult Nursing

NMC CBT Adult Nursing questions and mock test

Practice questions with answers and timed mock tests for nurses joining the adult nursing part of the NMC register. Adult nursing questions often focus on recognising and escalating deterioration (NEWS2), sepsis, anaphylaxis, diabetes, blood transfusion, stroke, pressure ulcers and caring for older adults.

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Sample NMC CBT adult nursing questions with answers

4 of the 111 adult nursing questions in NMC Ready, with answers and explanations. Practise the rest by topic in study mode.

Question 1 · Clinical nursing practice

A post-operative patient has a NEWS2 total score of 7. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. A.Increase observations to 4-hourly and tell the nurse in charge the score
  2. B.Inform the nurse in charge, and repeat a full set of observations in 1 hour
  3. C.Emergency assessment by a critical-care-competent team, with continuous monitoring
  4. D.Ask the doctor to review the patient on the next routine ward round today
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: C. Emergency assessment by a critical-care-competent team, with continuous monitoring

A NEWS2 score of 7 or more is a high clinical risk and triggers an emergency response: immediate assessment by a clinical team with critical care competencies and continuous monitoring of vital signs.

Question 2 · Clinical nursing practice

An adult develops stridor, widespread urticaria and hypotension minutes after starting IV antibiotics. After stopping the infusion and calling for help, which treatment should be given first?

  1. A.IV adrenaline 500 micrograms (5 ml of 1 mg in 10 ml) as a rapid bolus injection
  2. B.IM adrenaline 500 micrograms (0.5 ml of 1 mg/ml) into the anterolateral thigh
  3. C.IM adrenaline 1 mg (1 ml of 1 mg/ml) into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm
  4. D.IV chlorphenamine 10 mg and IV hydrocortisone 200 mg given as slow injections
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: B. IM adrenaline 500 micrograms (0.5 ml of 1 mg/ml) into the anterolateral thigh

Adrenaline is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. The adult IM dose is 500 micrograms (0.5 ml of 1 mg/ml, previously written 1:1000), given into the anterolateral thigh and repeated after 5 minutes if there is no improvement. The deltoid is not the recommended site, and IV adrenaline is only given by experienced specialists, never as a 500 microgram bolus. Antihistamines and steroids are not first-line.

Question 3 · Clinical nursing practice

A 62-year-old has central chest pain radiating to the left arm, with sweating. What should the nurse do as a priority?

  1. A.Give an antacid and reassess the pain in an hour
  2. B.Get a 12-lead ECG and escalate urgently
  3. C.Ask them to walk to the bathroom to see if it eases
  4. D.Wait for a troponin result before escalating
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: B. Get a 12-lead ECG and escalate urgently

Suspected acute coronary syndrome is an emergency. Get a 12-lead ECG as soon as possible and escalate urgently, so that a myocardial infarction can be identified and treated without delay. Don't wait for blood results.

Question 4 · Clinical nursing practice

A woman 5 days after giving birth is admitted to a medical ward with a severe headache, visual disturbance and blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg. What should the nurse suspect?

  1. A.A tension headache caused by lack of sleep
  2. B.Postpartum pre-eclampsia, needing urgent review
  3. C.Normal blood pressure changes after giving birth
  4. D.Migraine, so she should rest in a darkened room
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: B. Postpartum pre-eclampsia, needing urgent review

Pre-eclampsia can develop or get worse after birth, usually in the first days but up to 6 weeks postpartum. Severe headache, visual disturbance and severe hypertension need urgent medical and obstetric review, as there is a risk of eclampsia and stroke.

Topics covered

  • Clinical nursing practice
  • Professional values & accountability
  • Communication
  • Leadership & management
  • Nursing calculations

Other fields of nursing

Frequently asked questions

Is the NMC CBT different for adult nursing?

Partly. The NMC's test specification says 90% of the CBT content is generic and could be assessed in any field of nursing, and 10% of the Part B clinical questions are specific to your field. Part A numeracy follows the same blueprint for every field.

What is the pass mark for the NMC CBT for adult nursing?

Part A numeracy needs 13 out of 15 (87%) in every field. Part B pass marks vary between the nursing fields to reflect the difficulty of each test, but the NMC says they are generally set between 60% and 70%.

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