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NMC CBT 2026 · Learning Disability Nursing

NMC CBT Learning Disability Nursing questions and mock test

Practice questions with answers and timed mock tests for nurses joining the learning disability nursing part of the NMC register. Learning disability nursing questions cover diagnostic overshadowing, reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and IMCAs, epilepsy and rescue medication, dysphagia, STOMP, LeDeR, hospital passports and positive behaviour support.

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Sample NMC CBT learning disability nursing questions with answers

4 of the 15 learning disability nursing questions in NMC Ready, with answers and explanations. Practise the rest by topic in study mode.

Question 1 · Clinical nursing practice

A man with a severe learning disability has become withdrawn and aggressive, and staff put it down to 'his learning disability'. What is this an example of?

  1. A.Diagnostic overshadowing
  2. B.Positive behaviour support
  3. C.Reasonable adjustment
  4. D.Person-centred planning
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: A. Diagnostic overshadowing

Diagnostic overshadowing is when symptoms of physical or mental ill health are wrongly blamed on a person's learning disability. It is a well-documented cause of avoidable deaths (e.g. Mencap's 'Death by Indifference'; LeDeR reports).

Question 2 · Clinical nursing practice

A young woman with epilepsy has a tonic-clonic seizure that has now lasted 5 minutes. Her epilepsy care plan prescribes buccal midazolam. What should the nurse do?

  1. A.Wait until the seizure has lasted 15 minutes before giving rescue medication
  2. B.Put a padded object in her mouth to stop her biting her tongue
  3. C.Give buccal midazolam per her care plan, keep her safe and time the seizure
  4. D.Hold her arms and legs still until the jerking stops, so she isn't hurt
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: C. Give buccal midazolam per her care plan, keep her safe and time the seizure

A seizure lasting 5 minutes or longer needs emergency rescue medication as prescribed in the person's individual plan. Never restrain the person or put anything in their mouth. Time the seizure, keep them safe and call for emergency help as directed.

Question 3 · Professional values & accountability

Under which Act do health services have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities?

  1. A.Mental Health Act 1983
  2. B.Equality Act 2010
  3. C.Children Act 1989
  4. D.Health and Social Care Act 2012
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: B. Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 requires services to make reasonable adjustments so disabled people are not disadvantaged. Examples include longer appointments, the first or last appointment of the day, easy read information and a quiet waiting area.

Question 4 · Communication

A woman with a learning disability is admitted to an acute hospital. Which document best helps staff understand her needs, communication and preferences?

  1. A.Her hospital passport
  2. B.Her tenancy agreement
  3. C.A generic admission leaflet
  4. D.Her benefits assessment
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: A. Her hospital passport

A hospital passport sets out key information: how the person communicates, how they show pain, their likes and dislikes, medical history and the reasonable adjustments they need. It should go with the person to every hospital visit.

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 learning disability 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 learning disability 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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