Free Practice Questions for Esame di Stato Infermiere

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Key Facts: Esame di Stato Infermiere Exam

Practical + Thesis

Exam format under Art. 7 D.I. 19 febbraio 2009

Decreto Interministeriale 19 febbraio 2009, Art. 7

L/SNT1

Degree class: Professioni Sanitarie Infermieristiche

MUR Decreto Interministeriale 19 febbraio 2009

OPI / FNOPI

Mandatory professional register under Legge 3/2018

Legge 11 gennaio 2018, n. 3 (Legge Lorenzin)

D.M. 739/1994

Foundational professional profile decree

Ministero della Sanità D.M. 14 settembre 1994, n. 739

varies-by-university

Examination fees and passing thresholds

University Academic Regulations (Regolamenti Didattici di Ateneo)

Legge 24/2017

Clinical risk management and safety of care

Legge 8 marzo 2017, n. 24 (Legge Gelli-Bianco)

The qualifying final examination for the Laurea in Infermieristica (L/SNT1) has Esame di Stato value under Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009. It combines a profession-specific practical assessment with preparation and discussion of a thesis; local logistics are university-specific. This OpenExamPrep bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation and does not simulate either mandatory component.

Sample Esame di Stato Infermiere Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Esame di Stato Infermiere exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 89+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During the initial nursing admission assessment of a 68-year-old patient admitted for elective hip arthroplasty, the nurse explores the patient's adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications, history of tobacco use, and perceptions about health recovery. According to Marjory Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns, which pattern is being assessed?

A.Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern

B.Coping-Stress Tolerance Pattern

C.Health Perception-Health Management Pattern

D.Value-Belief Pattern

Explanation: Gordon's Health Perception-Health Management Pattern assesses the individual's perceived pattern of health and well-being, preventive health behaviors, knowledge of illness, and adherence to medical and nursing treatments. The nurse evaluates the patient's general health habits, medication compliance, and lifestyle factors such as tobacco or alcohol consumption. In contrast, cognitive abilities, stress responses, or spiritual values fall under distinct functional patterns.

2A nurse collects clinical data on a newly admitted patient presenting with community-acquired pneumonia. Which of the following documented findings constitutes subjective data rather than objective data?

A.The patient states, 'I feel sharp pleuritic chest pain in my right side whenever I take a deep breath.'

B.Coarse inspiratory crackles auscultated over the right lower pulmonary lobe

C.A core body temperature reading of 38.9 °C measured with a tympanic thermometer

D.A peripheral pulse oximetry saturation of 91% on room air

Explanation: Subjective data consists of covert information that cannot be directly measured or verified by the nurse through physical assessment or instrumental testing; it relies entirely on the patient's self-reported feelings, sensations, beliefs, or perceptions (e.g., pain description). Objective data represents overt, measurable, observable clinical facts obtained through direct examination, measurement devices, or laboratory diagnostics. Vital signs, auscultation findings, and laboratory values represent objective clinical data.

3When formulating a problem-focused (actual) nursing diagnosis using the NANDA-I taxonomy, which structural formula correctly represents the three-part PES format?

A.Problem related to Medical Diagnosis as evidenced by Interventions

B.Problem (Diagnostic Label) related to Etiology (Related Factors) as evidenced by Signs and Symptoms (Defining Characteristics)

C.Etiology related to Signs and Symptoms as evidenced by Desired Outcomes

D.Diagnostic Label related to Expected Outcomes as evidenced by Nursing Interventions

Explanation: The standard NANDA-I PES format for problem-focused diagnoses links the Problem (P, diagnostic label) with the Etiology (E, related factors indicating underlying causes or contributing conditions using 'related to') and the Signs and Symptoms (S, defining characteristics observed or reported using 'as evidenced by'). This structure ensures that independent nursing interventions specifically target the modifiable etiology, while the defining characteristics establish baseline metrics to evaluate resolution.

4A 72-year-old patient with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibits arterial blood gas (ABG) values of pH 7.31, PaCO2 56 mmHg, PaO2 58 mmHg, and HCO3- 28 mmol/L, accompanied by somnolence and confusion. The nurse is deciding between 'Ineffective Airway Clearance' and 'Impaired Gas Exchange'. Which clinical finding specifically establishes the diagnosis of 'Impaired Gas Exchange'?

A.Weak and ineffective voluntary cough reflex

B.Production of thick, tenacious yellow bronchial secretions

C.Presence of coarse expiratory wheezes throughout both lung fields

D.Abnormal arterial blood gas values showing hypercapnia and hypoxemia

Explanation: 'Impaired Gas Exchange' is defined by NANDA-I as excess or deficit in oxygenation and/or carbon dioxide elimination at the alveolar-capillary membrane. Its cardinal defining characteristics are abnormal arterial blood gases (hypercapnia, hypoxemia), altered mental status, and somnolence. In contrast, 'Ineffective Airway Clearance' refers to the inability to clear secretions or obstructions from the respiratory tract to maintain a clear airway, evidenced by cough abnormalities, retained sputum, and adventitious breath sounds.

5The nurse formulates the diagnosis 'Risk for Pressure Injury' for an immobilized, bedridden stroke patient. How should a risk nursing diagnosis be structured according to NANDA-I standards?

A.Two-part statement consisting of the diagnostic label and associated risk factors (as evidenced by / related to)

B.Three-part PES statement including defining characteristics, related factors, and risk factors

C.Single-part statement consisting solely of the diagnostic label

D.Four-part statement linking diagnostic label, medical disease, risk factors, and proposed interventions

Explanation: A risk nursing diagnosis describes human vulnerability to developing an undesirable condition; because the condition has not yet occurred, defining characteristics (signs and symptoms) do not exist. Therefore, NANDA-I mandates a two-part statement comprising the diagnostic label (Problem) and the specific predisposing vulnerabilities (Risk Factors). Interventions for risk diagnoses focus entirely on risk reduction, prevention, and ongoing surveillance.

6A nurse develops a care plan for a patient with 'Activity Intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand'. Which of the following documented patient goals meets all SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) outcome criteria using the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) framework?

A.The patient will feel significantly less tired after performing daily hospital activities.

B.The patient will ambulate 50 meters in the corridor without assistance, maintaining SpO2 >= 92% and heart rate <= 100 bpm, by post-operative day 3.

C.The nurse will assist the patient with passive range-of-motion exercises twice daily during each shift.

D.The patient's physical stamina and energy will improve steadily throughout the hospital stay.

Explanation: A well-formulated nursing outcome must be patient-centered and SMART: Specific (ambulate 50 meters in the corridor), Measurable (SpO2 >= 92%, HR <= 100 bpm), Achievable and Realistic for a post-operative patient, and Time-bound (by post-operative day 3). Measurable physiological parameters allow the nurse to evaluate objective progress against baseline data. Vague statements like 'feel less tired' cannot be objectively verified, and nursing actions describe interventions rather than patient outcomes.

7According to the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and Italian professional nursing regulations (D.M. 739/1994), which of the following actions represents an autonomous (independent) nursing intervention?

A.Administering 10 mg of intravenous morphine sulfate for breakthrough cancer pain

B.Positioning a patient in high-Fowler's position and teaching diaphragmatic pursed-lip breathing exercises to relieve dyspnea

C.Inserting a peripheral venous cannula following a medical order for intravenous antibiotic therapy

D.Infusing 500 mL of 0.9% normal saline over 2 hours for mild intravascular volume depletion

Explanation: Autonomous (independent) nursing interventions are actions initiated by the nurse without direction, prescription, or supervision from another healthcare professional, falling fully within the nurse's legal scope of practice (D.M. 739/1994). Patient positioning, teaching relaxation or breathing techniques, skin hygiene, and pressure relief are purely autonomous nursing actions. In contrast, medication administration and IV fluid therapy are dependent or collaborative interventions that require a lawful medical prescription.

8A nurse caring for an 80-year-old post-cholecystectomy patient notices an abrupt drop in urine output from 60 mL/h to 12 mL/h over the past 2 hours, alongside a blood pressure of 90/58 mmHg. Utilizing Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model, what cognitive phase is the nurse engaging in when analyzing these findings together to deduce hypovolemia or acute kidney injury?

A.Noticing

B.Responding

C.Reflecting

D.Interpreting

Explanation: In Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model, 'Interpreting' involves making sense of collected clinical data through analytic, intuitive, or narrative reasoning to understand the patient's condition and determine whether intervention is necessary. 'Noticing' is the initial perceptual grasp of clinical cues (detecting the low urine output and hypotension). 'Responding' is taking decisive clinical action, and 'Reflecting' occurs retrospectively to evaluate outcomes and clinical learning.

9A nurse plans the morning shift care for a patient presenting multiple concurrent nursing diagnoses. Applying Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to establish clinical priorities, which diagnosis must be addressed FIRST?

A.Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to thoracic surgical incision pain

B.Deficient Knowledge regarding postoperative anticoagulant discharge therapy

C.Risk for Loneliness related to visitor restrictions and private room isolation

D.Disturbed Body Image related to right lower limb surgical amputation

Explanation: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs places physiological survival needs (airway, breathing, circulation, oxygenation, hydration) at the highest priority level before addressing safety, love/belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. An 'Ineffective Breathing Pattern' directly threatens cellular oxygenation and systemic homeostasis, requiring immediate intervention before addressing informational deficiencies (Deficient Knowledge) or psychosocial distress.

10A 45-year-old patient admitted with severe acute gastroenteritis presents with persistent vomiting and diarrhea for 36 hours. Physical assessment reveals dry mucous membranes, delayed skin turgor (> 3 seconds), dark concentrated urine with an hourly output of 18 mL/h, heart rate 118 bpm, and BP 95/60 mmHg. Which NANDA-I nursing diagnosis is most accurate?

A.Excess Fluid Volume related to decreased renal filtration rate

B.Deficient Fluid Volume related to active fluid loss through gastrointestinal tract

C.Impaired Urinary Elimination related to anatomical urinary tract obstruction

D.Decreased Cardiac Output related to intrinsic myocardial contractility impairment

Explanation: 'Deficient Fluid Volume' (hypovolemia) is defined by NANDA-I as decreased intravascular, interstitial, and/or intracellular fluid, referring to dehydration or water/electrolyte loss without a change in sodium concentration. The clinical indicators (hypotension, tachycardia, oliguria, dry mucous membranes, poor turgor) directly correlate with active gastrointestinal fluid loss. Fluid volume excess presents with edema and fluid overload, while decreased cardiac output here is secondary to hypovolemia rather than intrinsic pump failure.

About the Esame di Stato Infermiere Exam

The Esame di Stato abilitante per Infermiere is the official qualifying milestone that grants graduates of the Laurea in Infermieristica (Classe L/SNT1 - Professioni Sanitarie Infermieristiche e Professione Sanitaria Ostetrica) the legal title and right to practice as registered nurses throughout Italy and enroll in the territorial Ordine delle Professioni Infermieristiche (OPI / FNOPI) pursuant to Legge 3/2018. Defined by Ministerial Decree n. 739 of 14 September 1994, the registered nurse is the autonomous healthcare professional responsible for general nursing care, preventive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative interventions, clinical assessment, therapeutic education, and supervision of support personnel (Operatori Socio-Sanitari - OSS). Independent Infermiere State Exam practice by OpenExamPrep provides an English-language MCQ study adaptation covering the nursing process, NANDA-I diagnoses, medical-surgical protocols, acute emergency and critical care, family and community nursing (IFEC), and the 2019 FNOPI Code of Ethics.

Exam sponsor: Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca (MUR) & designated universities with SSN teaching hospitals. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 gives the final examination for the Laurea in Infermieristica (L/SNT1) the legal value of an Esame di Stato. The national rule requires two components: a practical examination demonstrating profession-specific theoretical, practical, and technical-operational competence, and preparation and discussion of a thesis. It does not prescribe one national item count, duration, numerical cut score, fee, detailed local task type, or delivery language; candidates must use their university's current notice for those logistics. Independent Infermiere practice by OpenExamPrep is an English-language four-option MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation, a format simulation, or a substitute for practical or oral performance practice.

Time Limit

Varies by university; no single national duration is published

Passing Score

Set by the university; no single national numerical cut score is published

Exam / Certification Fees

Varies by university; no single national fee is published

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25 local questions (not an official percentage)

Nursing Process, Clinical Reasoning, Diagnoses (NANDA-I) & Interventions (NIC/NOC)

Systematic health assessment, Gordon's functional patterns, clinical judgment, NANDA-I diagnostic labeling, outcome indicators (NOC), nursing interventions (NIC), evidence-based nursing (EBN), and clinical charting

25 local questions (not an official percentage)

Medical-Surgical Nursing Care, Chronic Conditions, Wound Care & Pharmacology

Clinical care pathways in cardiovascular, respiratory, oncology, and surgical nursing, pressure injury staging and moist wound healing, healthcare-associated infection (HAI) control bundles, aseptic techniques, safe drug administration, and intravenous infusion calculations

20 local questions (not an official percentage)

Emergency & Critical Care Nursing, Acute Deterioration, Triage & CPR/BLSD

Early recognition of clinical deterioration using NEWS2, emergency department color/numeric triage, cardiac arrest management and BLSD algorithms, early sepsis bundles, acute respiratory failure, shock states, and arterial/central venous catheter care

11 local questions (not an official percentage)

Community Health, Family Nursing (IFEC), Patient Education & Palliative Care

Primary healthcare models under D.M. 77/2022, the Family and Community Nurse (IFEC) role, home care (ADI), management of multimorbidity and frailty, therapeutic adherence education, palliative care and pain management (Legge 38/2010), and ethical end-of-life care

8 local questions (not an official percentage)

Professional Deontology (Codice FNOPI 2019), Health Law & Clinical Risk

Professional profile statute (D.M. 739/1994), legal autonomy and abolition of the mansionario (Legge 42/1999, Legge 251/2000), professional register enrollment (Legge 3/2018), Codice Deontologico FNOPI 2019, clinical risk and patient safety under Legge 24/2017 (Gelli-Bianco), informed consent and DAT (Legge 219/2017), and professional secrecy (Art. 622 c.p.)

Preparing for the Esame di Stato Infermiere Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Set by the university; no single national numerical cut score is published
Assessment: Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 gives the final examination for the Laurea in Infermieristica (L/SNT1) the legal value of an Esame di Stato. The national rule requires two components: a practical examination demonstrating profession-specific theoretical, practical, and technical-operational competence, and preparation and discussion of a thesis. It does not prescribe one national item count, duration, numerical cut score, fee, detailed local task type, or delivery language; candidates must use their university's current notice for those logistics. Independent Infermiere practice by OpenExamPrep is an English-language four-option MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation, a format simulation, or a substitute for practical or oral performance practice.
Time limit: Varies by university; no single national duration is published
Exam / certification fees: Varies by university; no single national fee is published Official sources

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Esame di Stato Infermiere: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the nursing process phases: assessment (Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns), diagnosis (NANDA-I PES format: Problem, Etiology, Symptoms), planning (NOC outcomes and indicators), implementation (NIC interventions), and evaluation.

2Review evidence-based wound care principles: pressure injury staging (stages 1 to 4, unstageable, deep tissue pressure injury), TIME framework (Tissue, Infection/Inflammation, Moisture balance, Edge), and modern dressing selection (hydrogels, alginates, hydrocolloids, foam).

3Memorize critical care and emergency algorithms: Adult BLSD (30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio, 100–120 compressions/min, depth 5–6 cm, early shock for VF/pVT), NEWS2 physiological deterioration triggers, and early sepsis bundles (lactate, blood cultures prior to antibiotics, broad-spectrum IV antimicrobials within 1 hour, IV crystalloids 30 mL/kg for hypotension/lactate >= 4 mmol/L).

4Consolidate pharmacological safety: verify the 'rights' of medication administration, calculate IV drip rates and microgram/kg/minute infusions accurately, understand narrow therapeutic index drugs (digoxin, warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants, aminoglycosides), and adhere to high-alert medication double-check policies.

5Understand community healthcare models: study D.M. 77/2022 standards for the Infermiere di Famiglia e Comunità (IFEC), primary care integration in Case di Comunità, home palliative care under Legge 38/2010, and advance healthcare directives (DAT) under Legge 219/2017.

6Know Italian healthcare legislation and deontology: D.M. 739/1994 (professional profile), Legge 42/1999 (elimination of mansionario and establishment of professional autonomy), Legge 24/2017 Gelli-Bianco (safety of care as a fundamental right and guideline adherence), and the 2019 Codice Deontologico FNOPI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal structure of the Italian Nursing State Exam (Esame di Stato Infermiere)?

Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 requires two components: a practical examination demonstrating profession-specific theoretical, practical, and technical-operational competence, and preparation and discussion of a thesis. Detailed tasks, order, scoring, duration, and delivery arrangements are set by the university rather than standardized nationally.

How is the qualifying examination administered and how is it graded?

What professional order must a registered nurse join in Italy?

Following Legge 11 gennaio 2018, n. 3 (the Lorenzin Reform), all practicing nurses in Italy must enroll in their provincial Ordine delle Professioni Infermieristiche (OPI), united nationally under the Federazione Nazionale degli Ordini delle Professioni Infermieristiche (FNOPI). Enrollment in the professional register (Albo) is a mandatory legal prerequisite to exercise nursing in both public healthcare entities (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) and private or freelance practice.

What fees are associated with the nursing state qualifying examination?

Fees, dates, duration, grading details, and any repeat procedure are set by the individual university. D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 does not publish a single national fee, timetable, duration, or numerical cut score for this final qualifying examination.

What is the scope of practice of an Italian nurse under D.M. 739/1994 and related legislation?

Under D.M. 739/1994, Legge 42/1999, and Legge 251/2000, the Italian nurse is an autonomous healthcare professional responsible for general nursing care. The nurse identifies nursing care needs of individuals and communities, formulates care objectives and plans interventions using the nursing process, guarantees correct diagnostic and therapeutic prescriptions, acts individually or in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, and oversees support personnel (OSS).

Why does OpenExamPrep present practice questions in English multiple-choice format?

D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 does not publish one national delivery language for this university-run final examination. This OpenExamPrep resource uses English four-option MCQs as an independent study adaptation. It is not an official translation, does not simulate the practical examination or thesis defense, and is not a substitute for performance practice or the candidate's university notice.