100+ Free Registered Nurse (NNLE) Practice Questions

Prepare for the China Registered Nurse Licensing Examination (全国护士执业资格考试 / NNLE) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Registered Nurse (NNLE) Exam

300 / 300

Standard score required to pass each paper in a single sitting

National Health Commission Talent Exchange Center (21wecan)

2 x 120 MCQs

Exam structure: 2 papers with 120 items each

National Health Commission Talent Exchange Center (21wecan)

100 min

Time limit per paper (200 minutes total)

National Health Commission Talent Exchange Center (21wecan)

8 months

Minimum clinical hospital internship required for eligibility

Nurse Regulations of the PRC (护士条例)

3 years

Window after passing exam to apply for initial nurse registration

Nurse Regulations of the PRC (护士条例)

100

High-yield practice questions in this prep bank

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The National Nurse Licensing Examination (NNLE / 全国护士执业资格考试) is China's official entry-to-practice computer-based exam for registered nurses. It comprises two papers—专业实务 (Professional Practice, 120 MCQs) and 实践能力 (Practical Ability, 120 MCQs)—each lasting 100 minutes with a fixed passing standard score of 300 points per paper. Both papers must be passed in the same exam sitting. Eligible candidates must have completed a 3+ year accredited full-time nursing curriculum and at least 8 months of clinical hospital internship. This 100-question practice bank covers all required clinical domains with authentic Chinese medical terminology and rationales.

Sample Registered Nurse (NNLE) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Registered Nurse (NNLE) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In clinical nursing, the nursing process (护理程序) is structured around five standardized, sequential, and dynamic phases. Which of the following correctly lists these five phases in their standard clinical sequence?

A.Assessment (评估) → Diagnosis (诊断) → Planning (计划) → Implementation (实施) → Evaluation (评价)

B.Diagnosis (诊断) → Assessment (评估) → Planning (计划) → Implementation (实施) → Evaluation (评价)

C.Assessment (评估) → Planning (计划) → Diagnosis (诊断) → Implementation (实施) → Evaluation (评价)

D.Assessment (评估) → Diagnosis (诊断) → Implementation (实施) → Planning (计划) → Evaluation (评价)

Explanation: The nursing process (护理程序) is a systematic, problem-solving scientific method consisting of five sequential, interrelated steps: 1. Nursing Assessment (评估: collecting holistic client data), 2. Nursing Diagnosis (诊断: identifying human responses to health conditions), 3. Nursing Planning (计划: establishing priorities, expected outcomes, and interventions), 4. Implementation (实施: executing the care plan), and 5. Evaluation (评价: measuring progress toward goals).

2A staff nurse opens a sterile dressing package (无菌包) in the surgical ward to perform a wound care procedure. If the remaining sterile items inside the package are not completely used, what is the maximum valid storage duration for the opened sterile package if it is closed properly with sterile technique?

A.24 hours

B.4 hours

C.12 hours

D.48 hours

Explanation: Under standard hospital infection control and aseptic technique guidelines (无菌技术规范), once an unopened sterile fabric/paper package (无菌包) is opened, its contents remain sterile and valid for use for a maximum of 24 hours, provided it is immediately re-wrapped properly and stored in a clean, dry environment with the opening time recorded.

3When holding and using sterile transfer forceps (无菌持物钳) immersed in liquid disinfectant, which procedural action by the nurse violates aseptic principles?

A.Pointing the forceps tips upward above the level of the nurse's hand during transfer

B.Keeping the forceps tips pointed downward below the level of the handle at all times

C.Opening the sterile container lid vertically without touching the rim

D.Holding only one sterile item at a time with the forceps

Explanation: Pointing the tips of sterile transfer forceps (无菌持物钳) upward is a severe aseptic breach because disinfectant and fluid on the sterile tips can flow down to the unsterile handle or fingers and then flow back down to contaminate the working tips when lowered.

4What is the standard operating temperature and minimum exposure time for sterilizing heat- and moisture-resistant surgical instruments using a standard pre-vacuum pressure steam sterilizer (预真空压力蒸汽灭菌器)?

A.132°C–134°C for at least 4 minutes

B.100°C for 30 minutes

C.121°C for 5 minutes

D.160°C for 2 hours

Explanation: For pre-vacuum pressure steam autoclaves (预真空压力蒸汽灭菌), air is actively evacuated, allowing rapid steam penetration at higher temperatures of 132°C–134°C with a minimum required sterilization exposure time of 4 minutes. In contrast, gravity displacement autoclaves (下排气式) require 121°C for 20–30 minutes.

5A postoperative patient who underwent an exploratory laparotomy for generalized peritonitis secondary to a perforated appendix is placed in the semi-Fowler's position (半坐卧位). What is the primary clinical objective of this positioning?

A.To encourage peritoneal inflammatory exudate to gravitate toward the pelvic cavity (Douglas pouch) where absorption is slower and toxicity is reduced

B.To prevent postoperative atelectasis by increasing intra-abdominal pressure against the diaphragm

C.To reduce venous return and lower systemic blood pressure

D.To relax the abdominal incision while keeping pelvic exudate circulating to the subphrenic space

Explanation: In acute peritonitis, placing the patient in semi-Fowler's position (半坐卧位) allows inflammatory exudates to drain into the lowest anatomical point of the peritoneal cavity—the pelvic cavity (直肠子宫陷凹 / 盆腔低位). The pelvic peritoneum has a significantly slower absorption rate for toxins compared to the subdiaphragmatic space, reducing systemic toxic absorption, localizing infection, and facilitating drainage.

6For a patient presenting in hypovolemic shock (失血性休克) with a blood pressure of 75/45 mmHg, which body position should the nurse immediately implement?

A.Modified shock position (中凹卧位: head and chest elevated 10°–20°, lower extremities elevated 20°–30°)

B.Strict Trendelenburg position (头低足高位: head tilted downward 30°–45°)

C.High Fowler's position (端坐位: head of bed at 90°)

D.Flat supine position with legs straight and no pillow

Explanation: The modified shock position (中凹卧位 / 休克体位) elevates the head and chest by 10°–20° to facilitate diaphragmatic excursion and ease breathing, while elevating the lower extremities by 20°–30° to promote venous return and augment cardiac preload.

7A patient with atrial fibrillation (心房颤动) exhibits pulse deficit (脉搏短绌 / 绌脉). What is the standard measurement protocol for accurately assessing the patient's heart rate and radial pulse rate?

A.Two nurses measure simultaneously for a full 1 minute, with one listening to the apical heart rate and the other palpating the radial pulse

B.One nurse counts the apical heart rate for 30 seconds and multiplies by 2, then palpates the radial pulse for 30 seconds

C.One nurse counts the radial pulse for 1 full minute, then auscultates the apical heart rate for 1 full minute

D.Two nurses palpate both radial pulses simultaneously for 30 seconds

Explanation: In atrial fibrillation with pulse deficit (脉搏短绌), some cardiac contractions are too weak to transmit a palpable peripheral arterial pulse wave, resulting in an apical heart rate greater than the peripheral pulse rate. The standard assessment protocol requires two nurses with a synchronized timer counting simultaneously for a full 60 seconds: one auscultates apical heart rate with a stethoscope while the other palpates the radial pulse.

8A comatose patient with a severe traumatic brain injury exhibits a respiratory pattern characterized by alternating periods of gradually increasing tidal volume, followed by gradually decreasing tidal volume, and ending in a 10- to 20-second period of apnea (呼吸暂停). What is this abnormal respiratory pattern termed?

A.Cheyne-Stokes respiration (潮式呼吸 / 陈-施呼吸)

B.Biot's respiration (间停呼吸 / 毕奥呼吸)

C.Kussmaul respiration (库斯莫尔呼吸 / 酸中毒大呼吸)

D.Ataxic respiration (叹气样呼吸)

Explanation: Cheyne-Stokes respiration (潮式呼吸 / 陈-施呼吸) is characterized by rhythmic crescendo-decrescendo breathing cycles alternating with periods of apnea, caused by decreased sensitivity of the respiratory center to carbon dioxide in severe central nervous system lesions, brain herniation, or advanced heart failure.

9When measuring indirect blood pressure using an aneroid or mercury sphygmomanometer, which technical error will cause a falsely high (假性偏高) blood pressure reading?

A.The sphygmomanometer cuff is wrapped too loosely around the upper arm

B.The sphygmomanometer cuff is too wide relative to the patient's arm circumference

C.The patient's upper arm is positioned higher than the level of the right atrium

D.The bladder is deflated too rapidly at a rate exceeding 10 mmHg/second

Explanation: Wrapping the cuff too loosely (袖带过松) prevents uniform transmission of pressure to the brachial artery, requiring extra inflation pressure to occlude the vessel and yielding a falsely elevated (偏高) reading. A cuff that is too narrow also produces falsely high readings.

10When performing indwelling urinary catheterization (留置导尿术) on an adult male patient, how should the nurse position the penis and how far should the catheter be inserted before inflating the retention balloon?

A.Elevate the penis to an angle of 60° to straighten the pre-pubic curvature, insert 20–22 cm until urine flows, then advance an additional 1–2 cm

B.Keep the penis horizontal, insert 10–12 cm until urine flows, and inflate the balloon immediately

C.Elevate the penis to 90°, insert 12–14 cm, and inflate the balloon before urine is observed

D.Pull the penis downward, insert 25–30 cm, and immediately inflate with 30 mL of normal saline

Explanation: The male urethra is 18–20 cm long with two curves (pre-pubic and sub-pubic) and three constrictions. Elevating the penis to a 60° angle straightens the anterior/pre-pubic curvature (耻骨前弯). The catheter is inserted 20–22 cm; once urine returns, it must be advanced an additional 1–2 cm into the bladder lumen before inflating the retention balloon with sterile water to avoid urethral injury.

About the Registered Nurse (NNLE) Exam

The China Registered Nurse Licensing Examination (全国护士执业资格考试, NNLE) is the statutory national licensing examination required to practice as a Registered Nurse in the People's Republic of China. Organized by the National Health Commission Talent Exchange Center (21wecan), the examination evaluates candidates on their clinical knowledge, nursing judgment, and practical problem-solving capabilities across five core domains: Fundamentals of Nursing & Basic Techniques, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Obstetric & Gynecological Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Nursing Regulations & Ethics. Successful candidates earn the qualification certificate required for nurse registration (护士执业注册) under China's Nurse Regulations (护士条例).

Assessment

Standardized computer-based examination (人机对话考试) divided into two 100-minute papers: 专业实务 (Professional Practice, 120 MCQs) and 实践能力 (Practical Ability, 120 MCQs). Questions utilize single-best-answer formats (A1, A2, A3, and A4 types) covering basic medical/nursing sciences, clinical decision-making, procedural execution, and complication prevention.

Time Limit

100 minutes per paper (200 minutes total across 2 papers)

Passing Score

300 standard score on each paper (both papers must be passed simultaneously in the same year)

Exam Fee

Set by provincial authorities, typically RMB 50–70 per paper (total RMB 100–140) (National Health Commission Talent Exchange Center (国家卫生健康委人才交流服务中心 / 21wecan))

Registered Nurse (NNLE) Exam Content Outline

30%

Fundamentals of Nursing & Basic Techniques (基础护理学与基本技能)

Nursing process (护理程序), hospital environment, asepsis & sterile technique (无菌技术), isolation protocols, vital signs monitoring, patient positioning, catheterization (导尿术), IV infusion & transfusion (静脉输液与输血), medication administration, pressure injury prevention & staging (压疮分期), CPR (心肺复苏), specimen collection, and post-mortem care.

30%

Medical-Surgical Nursing (内外科护理学)

Care for adults with cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal/urological, neurological, and endocrine diseases; perioperative nursing, surgical asepsis, wound management, trauma, burns, shock resuscitation, and acute emergency care.

15%

Obstetric & Gynecological Nursing (妇产科护理学)

Antenatal care, intrapartum labor support, postpartum recovery and newborn care; high-risk obstetrics including gestational hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage (产后出血); and common gynecologic disorders.

15%

Pediatric Nursing (儿科护理学)

Pediatric growth milestones, neonatal assessment and care, neonatal jaundice (新生儿黄疸), infant nutrition and feeding, pediatric respiratory infections (pneumonia), acute gastroenteritis and fluid replacement therapy, congenital heart defects, vitamin D deficiency rickets, and common childhood infectious diseases.

10%

Regulations, Ethics & Patient Safety (法规、伦理与患者安全)

Nurse Regulations of the PRC (护士条例), Medical Malpractice Handling Regulations, medical law, patient rights and privacy, nursing ethics, 'Three Checks and Eight Pairs' (三查八对/三查七对), nursing documentation standards, and adverse event reporting.

How to Pass the Registered Nurse (NNLE) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 300 standard score on each paper (both papers must be passed simultaneously in the same year)
Assessment: Standardized computer-based examination (人机对话考试) divided into two 100-minute papers: 专业实务 (Professional Practice, 120 MCQs) and 实践能力 (Practical Ability, 120 MCQs). Questions utilize single-best-answer formats (A1, A2, A3, and A4 types) covering basic medical/nursing sciences, clinical decision-making, procedural execution, and complication prevention.
Time limit: 100 minutes per paper (200 minutes total across 2 papers)
Exam fee: Set by provincial authorities, typically RMB 50–70 per paper (total RMB 100–140)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Registered Nurse (NNLE) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the 'Three Checks and Eight Pairs' (三查八对): check before, during, and after; verify bed number, name, drug name, dosage, concentration, time, route of administration, and expiration date.

2Memorize key clinical vital sign cutoff values, adult/pediatric normal lab ranges (blood gas, electrolytes, blood counts, liver/kidney function), and common drug toxicities (e.g., digoxin, aminophylline, magnesium sulfate).

3Pay special attention to pressure ulcer staging (压疮/压力性损伤分期: Stage I erythema, Stage II partial thickness, Stage III full thickness skin loss, Stage IV full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone/tendon/muscle, Unstageable, and Deep Tissue Injury).

4Drill obstetric timelines (3 stages of labor, lochia changes: rubra, serosa, alba) and pediatric hydration calculations (mild 90-120 ml/kg, moderate 120-150 ml/kg, severe 150-180 ml/kg; 2:3:1 vs 4:3:2 vs 2:1 solution compositions).

5Practice computer-based timing: with 120 questions in 100 minutes per paper, you have 50 seconds per item; never linger on a single difficult vignette.

6Review the Nurse Regulations (护士条例) cold: understand legal responsibilities, emergency refusal prohibitions, mandatory reporting of medical errors, and scope of practice limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the China Registered Nurse Licensing Examination (NNLE)?

Since 2019, the National Health Commission Talent Exchange Center uses a fixed standard score (标准分) passing line of 300 points for Professional Practice (专业实务) and 300 points for Practical Ability (实践能力). Candidates must pass both papers in a single examination sitting.

What is the difference between 专业实务 (Professional Practice) and 实践能力 (Practical Ability)?

专业实务 (Professional Practice) focuses on foundational medical and nursing science, pharmacology, pathophysiology, ethics, and legal regulations applied to safe care. 实践能力 (Practical Ability) emphasizes clinical assessment, diagnostic identification, prioritisation of nursing interventions, technical procedural steps, and complication management in clinical scenarios.

Who is eligible to sit for the National Nurse Licensing Examination in China?

Applicants must have completed a full-time regular nursing or midwifery education program of at least 3 years in an accredited secondary vocational school, technical college, or university, and completed at least 8 months of clinical nursing internship in a teaching hospital or general hospital.

What question formats appear on the computer-based exam?

The exam consists entirely of single-best-answer multiple choice questions categorized into four types: A1 (single sentence/concept recall), A2 (short clinical vignette), A3 (patient case scenario with 2–3 related items), and A4 (progressive evolving clinical scenario).

How long is the qualification certificate valid for initial registration?

Under the Nurse Regulations (护士条例), candidates who pass the exam must apply for initial nurse registration (护士执业注册) within 3 years of passing. If initial registration is delayed beyond 3 years, the candidate must complete 3 months of clinical training and pass an assessment before registering.