Free SNB RN Licensure Exam Exam Flashcards
Memorize 50 essential terms and definitions for the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) Registered Nurse Licensure Examination. See the term, recall the definition, then flip to check yourself.
What authorisation must a registered nurse keep valid to practise nursing in Singapore?
A valid SNB Practising Certificate (PC), in addition to registration.
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About These SNB RN Licensure Exam Flashcards
These 50 flashcards are designed to help you memorize key terms and definitions for the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) Registered Nurse Licensure Examination. Each card shows a term on the front and its definition on the back—the classic flashcard format for vocabulary memorization. Use these alongside our practice questions to build both recall and comprehension.
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Complete Flashcard Reference
Review every term in this set. Open any term to reveal its definition.
What authorisation must a registered nurse keep valid to practise nursing in Singapore?
A valid SNB Practising Certificate (PC), in addition to registration.
An RN is asked to perform a procedure beyond their training and competence. What should they do?
Raise the concern and seek appropriate assistance before undertaking it.
Does being a patient’s relative automatically entitle someone to the patient’s confidential information?
No. Obtain appropriate consent or establish another justified basis for disclosure.
A patient with decision-making capacity declines treatment after receiving relevant information. What principle guides the RN?
Respect the patient’s informed refusal and right to self-determination.
What identifying details should accompany an RN’s clinical record entry?
The date, time, and the nurse’s signature or initials.
How should an RN determine a patient’s cultural preferences for care?
Ask about the individual’s values and wishes, then incorporate them into care.
An RN’s physical or psychological condition makes safe practice doubtful. What is the priority?
Protect patients by raising the concern and arranging help or reassignment; maintain fitness to practise.
What must an RN do when a clinical practice threatens patient safety?
Take appropriate protective action and report the unsafe practice through the relevant channels.
What does teach-back ask the patient to do?
Explain the care instructions in their own words so the clinician can check understanding.
After changing a nursing process to reduce harm, how can the RN check whether it helped?
Track relevant outcome measures over time to assess the effect of the change.
Why must an RN reassess a patient after a nursing intervention?
To evaluate the response and modify the care plan when needed.
A patient deteriorates suddenly while routine observations are being recorded. What takes priority?
Assess immediate threats to life and summon the appropriate urgent clinical help.
In a clinical handover, what does SBAR stand for?
Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
Which two identifiers could an RN use to verify a patient before giving care?
Name and date of birth; a room or bed number is not a patient identifier.
To which patients do standard infection-control precautions apply?
All patients, with protective measures chosen for the anticipated exposure.
What hand-cleaning method is needed when hands are visibly soiled?
Wash with soap and water.
What transmission-based precautions are needed for suspected infectious pulmonary tuberculosis?
Airborne precautions, including an airborne-infection isolation room and an appropriate fit-tested respirator.
Where should an indwelling urinary catheter’s drainage bag be positioned?
Below bladder level and off the floor, with the tubing unobstructed.
Why should the RN check medication-allergy information before administering a medicine?
To identify a contraindicated exposure and clarify any allergy concern before giving the dose.
Calculation practice: a prescribed oral dose is 450 mg; the liquid contains 150 mg per 5 mL. What volume is required?
15 mL: 450 mg ÷ 150 mg × 5 mL.
Calculation practice: an ordered infusion is 480 mL over 4 hours. What pump rate in mL/hour is required?
120 mL/hour: 480 mL ÷ 4 hours.
Can an insulin pen be shared between patients if its needle is changed?
No. Each insulin pen must be used for only one patient.
What serious risk increases when an opioid is combined with a benzodiazepine?
Respiratory depression, which can lead to overdose and death.
Which methods are acceptable for confirming initial nasogastric tube placement before use?
Gastric aspirate pH within the safe range of 1–5.5, or an appropriately interpreted X-ray; not a “whoosh” test.
Repeated coughing and a wet voice during meals suggest what assessment need?
Assessment for dysphagia by a clinician trained in swallowing disorders.
When assessing total fluid intake, should IV medicines and blood products be counted?
Yes. Include them alongside oral, enteral and other IV fluids.
An awake adult with diabetes can swallow safely and has glucose 3.4 mmol/L. What is the initial oral treatment and recheck interval?
Give 15 g glucose and recheck blood glucose after 15 minutes; repeat treatment and seek medical advice if it remains below 4 mmol/L.
A diabetic foot ulcer is accompanied by fever and signs of limb ischaemia. What urgency is required?
Immediate assessment by acute services for a potentially limb-threatening problem.
After opioid administration, a patient becomes difficult to wake and breathes slowly. What should the RN do?
Activate urgent clinical help and assess and support airway and breathing according to the emergency protocol.
What must the operating team verbally confirm at the pause before skin incision?
The correct patient, procedure and surgical site.
Which wound measurements help track a pressure ulcer over time?
Document its surface area and depth, including any undermining.
What does non-blanching erythema over a pressure area require?
Prompt pressure-ulcer prevention, including relieving pressure and reassessing the skin.
A patient develops fluctuating inattention and confusion over several hours. What condition should the RN suspect?
Delirium: an acute change that needs assessment for contributing causes.
How should falls-prevention measures be chosen for a hospital patient?
Match interventions to the patient’s assessed risk factors and needs.
What equipment should be within reach when a patient needs a walking aid to mobilise?
The appropriate walking aid, with assistance matched to the patient’s assessed ability.
Can a pulse-oximeter reading replace physical assessment of an acutely ill person?
No. Interpret it alongside physical findings because device, environment and patient factors can distort readings.
In first aid, how may a trained responder assist a person with known asthma who is struggling to breathe?
Help them use their prescribed bronchodilator, such as their inhaler with a spacer.
What contact rule applies while an AED analyses rhythm or delivers a shock?
Ensure nobody touches the patient; follow the prompts and resume CPR immediately when instructed.
An unresponsive adult is gasping. A trained RN cannot confirm a pulse within 10 seconds. What is the immediate response?
Treat it as cardiac arrest: activate the emergency response and start CPR. Gasping is not normal breathing.
What is the recommended adult chest-compression rate in Singapore’s 2026 BCLS guidelines?
100–120 compressions per minute.
What is the first action when a blood transfusion reaction is suspected?
Stop the transfusion immediately, then assess the patient and notify the responsible clinician.
During a convulsive seizure, should the RN restrain the patient or put an object in their mouth?
No. Protect them from injury, clear nearby hazards, and monitor the seizure and airway.
What should a clinician ask directly when assessing a patient with depression for suicide risk?
Ask about suicidal thoughts and intent.
What should guide an individualised plan for a person approaching the end of life?
The person’s wishes and goals, with care directed to comfort and symptom management.
Does delegating a nursing activity remove the RN’s accountability for the delegation decision?
No. The RN remains accountable for appropriate delegation and supervision.
What must the RN consider before assigning a nursing task to another staff member?
Whether the task fits that person’s role and competence, with suitable instructions and supervision.
How can the receiving clinician reduce misunderstandings during a handover?
Ask questions and confirm key information through repeat-back or read-back.
Whose input should an RN coordinate when planning care across services?
The patient, relevant family or carers, and the healthcare team.
Reflection identifies a gap in an RN’s clinical skills. What should follow?
A plan to address the gap through appropriate learning and demonstrated competence.
How should an RN choose continuing professional education activities?
Choose learning relevant to their context and scope of practice that maintains or improves competence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these cards for the Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse exam?
This set is for the SNB Registered Nurse Licensure Examination. SNB publishes a separate Enrolled Nurse test plan and examination.
How many questions are on the SNB RN exam?
The current public SNB and Pearson VUE materials describe a multiple-choice examination but do not publish a fixed item count. This study set has 50 cards; that is not the official examination question count.
What score is needed to pass?
The current public official materials checked on 10 October 2026 do not publish a passing score or score scale. Use SNB’s official result rather than treating a practice-test percentage as a pass guarantee.
How long is the exam and is a calculator available?
The examination lasts 60 minutes with no time extension. An on-screen calculator is available.
What happens if I fail the first attempt?
SNB allows two attempts for each licensure examination. For a second attempt, employer HR must support and submit a fresh application; the second ATT period starts six calendar months after the last examination.
Do the card topic counts show official exam weights?
No. The April 2026 RN test plan lists four domains without percentage weights. The card allocation is an editorial study choice covering ethics, professional nursing, collaboration and continuing development.
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