100+ Free NMBA OBA OSCE Practice Questions

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A medication chart orders paracetamol 1 g orally. The available tablets are 500 mg each. How many tablets do you administer?

3 tablets

2 tablets

1 tablet

4 tablets

to track

Sample NMBA OBA OSCE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NMBA OBA OSCE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the NMBA OSCE you are handed an Australian adult general observation chart (track-and-trigger). A patient's respiratory rate is 28, falling in the purple/red zone of the chart. According to the chart's escalation logic, what is your FIRST priority action?

A.Recognise the deteriorating patient, escalate care per the chart's response criteria, and stay with the patient

B.Document the finding and recheck the observations in 4 hours

C.Wait for the next routine observation round before acting

D.Administer a PRN analgesic to settle the patient

Explanation: Australian track-and-trigger charts (e.g. the adult deterioration/observation chart) are designed so that observations landing in the coloured escalation zones trigger a mandatory clinical response. The safe RN action is to recognise deterioration, escalate using the chart's response criteria (e.g. call for senior review/MET), and not leave the deteriorating patient. This demonstrates RN Standard 4 (comprehensively conducts assessments) and Standard 6 (provides safe care).

2An OSCE station requires you to count a patient's respiratory rate. To obtain the most accurate result, what is best practice?

A.Tell the patient you are counting their breathing and ask them to breathe normally

B.Count for 15 seconds and multiply by four to save time

C.Count discreetly, ideally while appearing to still take the radial pulse, for a full 60 seconds

D.Ask the patient how many breaths per minute they think they take

Explanation: Respiratory rate is best measured without the patient's awareness, because conscious breathing alters the rate. A common technique is to keep your fingers on the radial pulse and count chest rise discreetly for a full minute, which captures irregular patterns. This reflects accurate, evidence-based assessment under RN Standard 4.

3You need to escalate a deteriorating patient to the medical team during an OSCE station. Which structured communication tool is the Australian standard for clinical handover and escalation?

A.ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)

B.SOAP

C.ABCDE

D.FAST

Explanation: ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is the structured clinical communication framework widely adopted across Australian health services for handover and escalation, supporting the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Communicating for Safety standard. Using ISBAR demonstrates RN Standard 2 (therapeutic and professional relationships).

4Before administering any medication in an OSCE medication station, the NMBA expects you to verify the rights of medication administration. Which set BEST represents the rights you should check?

A.Right bed number, right meal time, right visitor, right chart

B.Right patient, right doctor, right pharmacy, right ward

C.Right colour, right shape, right size, right packaging

D.Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation

Explanation: The core rights of medication administration are right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation (often expanded to include right reason and right to refuse). Checking these against a valid order on the national medication chart is fundamental to safe practice under RN Standard 6.

5A medication chart orders paracetamol 1 g orally. The available tablets are 500 mg each. How many tablets do you administer?

A.1 tablet

B.2 tablets

C.3 tablets

D.4 tablets

Explanation: Using the formula (dose required / dose available) x quantity: (1000 mg / 500 mg) x 1 tablet = 2 tablets. Converting grams to milligrams (1 g = 1000 mg) before calculating is the key safe step. Accurate drug calculation is assessed in OSCE medication stations under RN Standard 6.

6An order reads: morphine 7.5 mg subcutaneously. The ampoule available is morphine 10 mg in 1 mL. What volume do you draw up?

A.0.5 mL

B.0.75 mL

C.1.0 mL

D.1.5 mL

Explanation: (Dose required / stock strength) x stock volume = (7.5 mg / 10 mg) x 1 mL = 0.75 mL. Morphine is a Schedule 8 controlled drug, so this calculation and a witnessed check are required. Accurate volume calculation prevents serious opioid error under RN Standard 6.

7Morphine is a Schedule 8 (controlled) medicine. In Australian practice, what is the standard safe-handling requirement when administering it on a ward?

A.A single nurse may administer it without any check

B.It must be checked and the administration witnessed by a second authorised clinician, and the register/balance reconciled

C.It can be left at the bedside for the patient to take when needed

D.Only the ward pharmacist may administer Schedule 8 drugs

Explanation: Schedule 8 (controlled) drugs in Australia require a witnessed check by a second authorised health practitioner, accurate recording in the drug register, and reconciliation of the stock balance. These safeguards reduce diversion and error and reflect RN Standard 6 and relevant state/territory drugs and poisons legislation.

8You are about to give a subcutaneous injection in an OSCE station. Which needle angle and technique is appropriate for most subcutaneous injections?

A.90 degrees with a 38 mm needle into muscle

B.10 to 15 degrees with the bevel up into the dermis

C.45 to 90 degrees into a pinched skin fold of subcutaneous tissue, using a short needle

D.Directly into a visible vein after applying a tourniquet

Explanation: Subcutaneous injections are given at 45 to 90 degrees (depending on needle length and tissue) into a pinched fold of subcutaneous fat, typically with a short fine needle, in sites such as the abdomen or outer upper arm. Correct angle and site ensure the drug is deposited in subcutaneous tissue, not muscle or dermis.

9According to the WHO 'My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene' framework used in Australian hospitals (Hand Hygiene Australia), which moment requires hand hygiene BEFORE it occurs?

A.Before a procedure (e.g. aseptic task)

B.After touching patient surroundings

C.After body fluid exposure risk

D.After touching a patient

Explanation: The 5 Moments are: before touching a patient, before a procedure/aseptic task, after a procedure or body-fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings. 'Before a procedure' is one of the two 'before' moments that protect the patient from organisms carried on the hands. Hand Hygiene Australia uses this exact framework.

10During an aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) station you must protect 'key parts' and 'key sites'. What does protecting key parts primarily mean?

A.Wearing sterile gloves for every task regardless of contact

B.Asking the patient to hold the sterile equipment for you

C.Cleaning the trolley after the procedure only

D.Identifying and not touching the parts that must remain sterile, such as the syringe tip or needle, and the insertion site

Explanation: ANTT centres on identifying key parts (e.g. syringe tip, needle, sterile connector) and key sites (e.g. insertion site, wound) and ensuring they are not touched by anything non-sterile. Non-touch technique and protecting these is what keeps asepsis intact, even when non-sterile gloves are appropriate for the risk level.

About the NMBA OBA OSCE Exam

The OBA OSCE is Stage 2 of the NMBA Outcomes-Based Assessment for internationally qualified registered nurses (IQNMs), following the Stage 1 computer-based MCQ exam. It is an in-person objective structured clinical examination of 10 timed stations held at the Adelaide Health Simulation centre (also offered in Melbourne), assessing knowledge, skills and competence equivalent to a graduate Australian registered nurse against the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice.

Assessment

In-person OSCE of 10 timed clinical stations (2 minutes reading + 8 minutes performance each) using simulated patients and manikins, assessed against the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice.

Time Limit

10 minutes per station (2 min reading, 8 min performance); 10 stations for the RN OSCE.

Passing Score

Pass/fail decision against the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice across stations; the exact numeric standard is set by NMBA/AHPRA and is not published as a single percentage.

Exam Fee

Approximately AUD $4,000 for the RN OSCE (set by the provider; confirm current fee with AHPRA/NMBA). (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) / AHPRA)

NMBA OBA OSCE Exam Content Outline

20%

Comprehensive assessment and clinical reasoning

Vital signs, observation/track-and-trigger charts, recognising deterioration, GCS, neurovascular observations and prioritisation (RN Standards 1 and 4).

20%

Medication administration and calculation

Rights of administration, drug and IV rate calculations, SC/IM/IV technique, controlled drugs, high-risk medicines and order verification (RN Standard 6).

14%

Patient safety and risk management

Patient identification, falls and pressure injury prevention, manual handling, anaphylaxis, least-restrictive practice and incident reporting.

13%

Communication and therapeutic relationships

ISBAR handover/escalation, informed consent, therapeutic communication, interpreters, privacy, dignity and de-escalation (RN Standard 2).

13%

Professional practice and NMBA standards

RN standards, NMBA Code of conduct, scope and delegation, documentation, accountability, confidentiality and cultural safety (RN Standards 3, 5 and 7).

11%

Infection control and aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT)

Hand Hygiene 5 Moments, standard and transmission-based precautions, ANTT, PPE, sharps and spill management.

Clinical skills and procedures

Basic life support (DRSABCD), wound care, oxygen therapy, blood glucose, catheter specimens, chest drains and VTE prophylaxis.

How to Pass the NMBA OBA OSCE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/fail decision against the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice across stations; the exact numeric standard is set by NMBA/AHPRA and is not published as a single percentage.
Assessment: In-person OSCE of 10 timed clinical stations (2 minutes reading + 8 minutes performance each) using simulated patients and manikins, assessed against the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice.
Time limit: 10 minutes per station (2 min reading, 8 min performance); 10 stations for the RN OSCE.
Exam fee: Approximately AUD $4,000 for the RN OSCE (set by the provider; confirm current fee with AHPRA/NMBA).

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NMBA OBA OSCE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Map your revision to the seven NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice and rehearse the Australian charts used in the OSCE (adult/paediatric/neurological/neurovascular observation, blood glucose, falls and pressure-care risk, and IV fluid order charts).

2Drill timing: practise completing each skill within 8 minutes after a 2-minute read, including introducing yourself, confirming identity with three identifiers, hand hygiene at the 5 Moments, and gaining consent every time.

3Practise structured communication (ISBAR for escalation and handover) and verbalise your clinical reasoning, as examiners assess both your technical skill and your safe, person-centred decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stations are in the NMBA RN OSCE?

The registered nurse OSCE comprises 10 stations. Each station allows 2 minutes of reading time and 8 minutes of performance time (10 minutes total), and stations are run strictly to time.

Where is the NMBA OSCE held and can I do it online?

No, the OSCE cannot be done online. It is an in-person clinical simulation assessment held at the Adelaide Health Simulation centre, with the OSCE also offered in Melbourne.

What is the OSCE assessed against?

The RN OSCE is assessed against the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice (seven standards), which cover critical thinking, therapeutic relationships, capability, comprehensive assessment, planning care, providing safe care and evaluating outcomes.

How long is a pass result valid?

A pass result of the OSCE is valid for five years. However, it only satisfies the NMBA recency of practice registration standard for a maximum of two years, after which additional evidence of recency may be required.