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100+ Free Kangoshi Kokka Shiken Practice Questions

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A stroke patient coughs during meals and has a wet voice after swallowing. What is the priority nursing concern?

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Key Facts: Kangoshi Kokka Shiken Exam

240

115th official answer-key items

MHLW 115th answer key, A001-A120 and B001-B120

320 min

115th total written time

MHLW 115th candidate schedule

JPY 5,400

115th exam fee

MHLW implementation notice

40/50

115th required-question threshold

MHLW results notice

166/249

115th general plus situation threshold

MHLW results notice

88.3%

115th overall pass rate

MHLW results notice

MHLW published the 115th Japan National Nursing Examination for February 15, 2026. The official answer key contains 240 AM/PM items, with final 115th passing criteria of 40/50 on required questions and 166/249 on general plus situation-setting scoring. The 115th pass rate was 88.3% overall and 94.1% for new graduates.

Sample Kangoshi Kokka Shiken Practice Questions

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

1Which structure is the primary site of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs?
A.Bronchus
B.Alveolus
C.Trachea
D.Pleura
Explanation: Gas exchange occurs across the thin alveolar-capillary membrane. The alveoli provide a large surface area and close contact with pulmonary capillaries, which allows oxygen to enter blood and carbon dioxide to leave it.
2Blood leaving the left ventricle first enters which vessel?
A.Pulmonary artery
B.Aorta
C.Superior vena cava
D.Pulmonary vein
Explanation: The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta for systemic circulation. This is why left-sided heart failure often causes pulmonary congestion and reduced systemic perfusion.
3Which organ is most directly responsible for filtering blood and forming urine?
A.Liver
B.Kidney
C.Pancreas
D.Spleen
Explanation: The kidneys filter plasma through nephrons, regulate water and electrolytes, and excrete waste products in urine. They also help regulate blood pressure and erythropoietin production.
4Insulin has which main effect on blood glucose?
A.Raises blood glucose by breaking down glycogen
B.Lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular glucose uptake
C.Raises blood calcium by acting on bone
D.Lowers blood pressure by dilating veins
Explanation: Insulin lowers blood glucose by helping glucose enter muscle and adipose cells and by promoting storage as glycogen. Lack of insulin action leads to hyperglycemia and, in severe cases, ketosis.
5A patient suddenly becomes pale, cool, and sweaty after standing. Which autonomic response is most likely activated?
A.Parasympathetic stimulation only
B.Sympathetic stimulation
C.Insulin secretion
D.Melatonin secretion
Explanation: Pallor, cool skin, sweating, and tachycardia are typical sympathetic responses to decreased effective circulation. The body attempts to maintain perfusion by increasing heart rate and vasoconstriction.
6Inflammation at a wound is most commonly associated with which local finding?
A.Pale, cold skin with no pain
B.Redness, warmth, swelling, and pain
C.Complete loss of all sensation only
D.Immediate scar formation without exudate
Explanation: Redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and sometimes impaired function are classic local signs of inflammation. They reflect increased blood flow, vascular permeability, and mediator release at the injured tissue.
7In Japan, which public system is designed to reduce a patient's out-of-pocket burden when monthly medical expenses exceed a set ceiling?
A.High-cost medical expense benefit
B.Employment insurance only
C.Driver liability insurance
D.School lunch subsidy
Explanation: Japan's high-cost medical expense benefit limits the patient's monthly out-of-pocket medical cost based on income and age. Nurses do not calculate eligibility alone, but they should know when to connect patients with medical social workers or billing staff.
8Before touching a patient, what is the most important infection-control action for a nurse?
A.Put on sterile gloves for every contact
B.Perform hand hygiene
C.Open the room window
D.Ask the patient to wear a mask for all care
Explanation: Hand hygiene before patient contact is a core standard precaution. Gloves are added when exposure to blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or contaminated materials is expected, but gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
9When counting an adult patient's respirations, which approach is best?
A.Tell the patient to breathe faster for one minute
B.Observe chest movement without drawing attention to the count
C.Count only while the patient is speaking
D.Estimate from the pulse rate
Explanation: Respirations should be observed quietly because patients may alter breathing when they know it is being counted. The nurse assesses rate, rhythm, depth, and work of breathing.
10Which nursing action best helps prevent a pressure injury in a bedbound patient?
A.Keep the head of bed high at all times
B.Reposition the patient and protect bony prominences
C.Massage reddened bony areas firmly
D.Limit all fluid intake
Explanation: Regular repositioning, pressure redistribution, moisture control, and nutrition support reduce pressure-injury risk. Bony prominences such as the sacrum, heels, and trochanters need special attention.

About the Kangoshi Kokka Shiken Exam

The Kangoshi Kokka Shiken is Japan's MHLW-administered national examination for nurse licensure. The official subject list spans anatomy and physiology, disease and recovery, social security, basic nursing, community and home nursing, adult, gerontological, pediatric, maternal, psychiatric, and integrated nursing practice.

Assessment

Written national nursing examination with required questions, general questions, and situation-setting clinical scenario questions across the MHLW subject list.

Time Limit

320 minutes total on the 115th exam: AM 9:50-12:30 and PM 14:20-17:00

Passing Score

115th exam: required questions 40/50 and general plus situation-setting questions 166/249

Exam Fee

JPY 5,400 for the 115th exam (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Japan)

Kangoshi Kokka Shiken Exam Content Outline

Official subject

Human Body Structure and Function

Anatomy, physiology, homeostasis, development, and body-system function used in nursing assessment.

Official subject

Disease Formation and Recovery Promotion

Pathophysiology, diagnostic reasoning, treatment, pharmacology, rehabilitation, and recovery support.

Official subject

Health Support and Social Security Systems

Health promotion, public health, medical systems, social insurance, long-term care, law, ethics, and patient rights.

Official subject

Basic Nursing

Nursing process, communication, infection control, safety, comfort, daily living support, and core clinical skills.

Official subject

Community and Home Nursing

Home-care assessment, visiting nursing, family support, discharge planning, community integrated care, and disaster preparation.

Official subject

Adult Nursing

Acute and chronic adult conditions, perioperative care, cancer care, rehabilitation, emergency response, and end-of-life nursing.

Official subject

Gerontological Nursing

Aging, dementia, delirium, frailty, polypharmacy, falls, dysphagia, pressure injury, and long-term care support.

Official subject

Pediatric Nursing

Growth and development, pediatric assessment, family-centered care, common illnesses, emergency signs, and child safety.

Official subject

Maternal Nursing

Pregnancy, labor, postpartum assessment, newborn care, lactation, maternal complications, and family support.

Official subject

Psychiatric Nursing

Therapeutic communication, suicide prevention, psychosis, mood disorders, psychopharmacology safety, and recovery-oriented support.

Official subject

Integration and Practice of Nursing

Patient safety, clinical prioritization, disaster nursing, team communication, ethics, incident reporting, and continuity of care.

How to Pass the Kangoshi Kokka Shiken Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 115th exam: required questions 40/50 and general plus situation-setting questions 166/249
  • Assessment: Written national nursing examination with required questions, general questions, and situation-setting clinical scenario questions across the MHLW subject list.
  • Time limit: 320 minutes total on the 115th exam: AM 9:50-12:30 and PM 14:20-17:00
  • Exam fee: JPY 5,400 for the 115th exam

Keys to Passing

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

Kangoshi Kokka Shiken Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build required-question accuracy first: anatomy, physiology, safety, infection control, ethics, and essential nursing observations are high-yield foundations.
2Practice explaining why each wrong option is unsafe or lower priority; the exam rewards clinical judgment, not word recognition alone.
3Use MHLW past questions to understand AM/PM pacing and situation-setting style, but avoid memorizing wording without understanding the nursing rationale.
4Review Japan-specific systems such as public health centers, long-term care insurance, high-cost medical expense benefits, and community-based integrated care.
5For scenario questions, identify the immediate risk first: airway, breathing, circulation, neurologic change, bleeding, infection, suicide risk, abuse, or medication harm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Kangoshi Kokka Shiken exist as an official exam?

Yes. MHLW publishes the Kangoshi Kokka Shiken implementation notice under the Act on Public Health Nurses, Midwives and Nurses, and published the 115th nursing exam for February 15, 2026.

How many questions are on the Japan National Nursing Examination?

The official 115th answer key lists 240 items, numbered A001-A120 and B001-B120. Final scoring can exclude or adjust selected items, so candidates should always check the MHLW result notice for that administration.

What was the passing score for the 115th exam?

MHLW reported that candidates had to meet both thresholds: 40 points or more out of 50 on required questions, and 166 points or more out of 249 on general plus situation-setting questions.

What was the pass rate for the 115th exam?

MHLW reported 52,666 successful candidates out of 59,614 examinees, an 88.3% overall pass rate. For new graduates, 50,862 of 54,036 passed, or 94.1%.

What subjects are covered?

MHLW lists human body structure and function; disease formation and recovery promotion; health support and social security systems; basic nursing; community and home nursing; adult, gerontological, pediatric, maternal, and psychiatric nursing; and integration and practice of nursing.

Are these copied from MHLW past questions?

No. These are original practice questions written to match the official subject scope and clinical style. MHLW past-question PDFs were used only to verify structure and official availability.