100+ Free NCNZ IQN Theoretical Exam Practice Questions

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A patient who had abdominal surgery is reluctant to move and take deep breaths because of pain. Which complication is this most likely to predispose them to, and what is the key nursing response?

Chest infection and atelectasis; provide effective analgesia, encourage deep breathing, coughing and early mobilisation

Hypothermia; warm the room only

Allergic reaction; give antihistamines

Hypoglycaemia; give sugar

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Sample NCNZ IQN Theoretical Exam Practice Questions

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

1A medication is prescribed as 250 mg orally. The stock tablets are 125 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse administer?

A.2 tablets

B.1 tablet

C.3 tablets

D.0.5 tablet

Explanation: Using the formula (dose required / stock strength), 250 mg / 125 mg = 2 tablets. This is a basic single-step calculation typical of Part A: Medication safety, which contains 12 calculation and medication/fluid safety questions in the registered nurse examination.

2An order reads 'amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times daily.' The pharmacy supplies amoxicillin oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. What volume should the nurse measure for one dose?

A.5 mL

B.7.5 mL

C.10 mL

D.2.5 mL

Explanation: (500 mg / 250 mg) x 5 mL = 10 mL per dose. The nurse uses an oral syringe to measure liquid medicines accurately rather than a household spoon, supporting medication safety.

3A patient is to receive 1000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride intravenously over 8 hours using a gravity giving set with a drop factor of 20 drops/mL. What is the correct drip rate in drops per minute (rounded to the nearest whole number)?

A.21 drops/min

B.63 drops/min

C.42 drops/min

D.31 drops/min

Explanation: Drip rate = (volume x drop factor) / (time in minutes) = (1000 x 20) / (8 x 60) = 20000 / 480 = 41.7, which rounds to 42 drops/min. Accurate IV fluid calculation is a core Part A medication and fluid safety skill.

4Heparin 5000 units is prescribed subcutaneously. The vial contains heparin 25000 units in 1 mL. What volume should the nurse draw up?

A.0.2 mL

B.0.5 mL

C.1 mL

D.0.25 mL

Explanation: (5000 units / 25000 units) x 1 mL = 0.2 mL. High-alert medicines such as heparin require an independent double-check and precise small-volume measurement to prevent harm.

5Before administering any medicine, the nurse should verify the rights of medication administration. Which set best represents these checks?

A.Right colour, right shape, right cost, right brand, right pharmacy

B.Right doctor, right ward, right shift, right trolley, right bed

C.Right diagnosis, right insurance, right consent form, right family member, right visitor

D.Right patient, right medicine, right dose, right route, right time

Explanation: The classic 'five rights' are right patient, right medicine, right dose, right route and right time; documentation and indication are often added. These checks reduce medication errors and underpin Part A medication safety.

6A patient weighing 20 kg is prescribed paracetamol 15 mg/kg orally. The available suspension is 250 mg/5 mL. What volume should the nurse give for one dose?

A.6 mL

B.3 mL

C.9 mL

D.12 mL

Explanation: Dose = 15 mg/kg x 20 kg = 300 mg. Volume = (300 mg / 250 mg) x 5 mL = 6 mL. Weight-based paediatric dosing requires the nurse to calculate the total dose first, then convert to volume.

7A nurse is about to administer a controlled drug (a Class B medicine) from the ward stock. According to safe medication practice in New Zealand, what is required?

A.The nurse may sign out and administer the controlled drug alone without witness

B.The patient must witness and sign the controlled drug register

C.A second authorised person witnesses and co-signs the removal and administration, and the running balance is checked

D.Controlled drugs may be left at the bedside for the patient to self-administer when convenient

Explanation: Controlled drugs require a witnessed check by a second authorised staff member, co-signing of the controlled drug register and confirmation that the running stock balance is correct. This protects against diversion and error.

8An insulin order reads 'Actrapid 8 units subcutaneously before breakfast.' Which action is the safest practice when preparing this dose?

A.Draw the insulin up in a standard 2 mL syringe and estimate the units

B.Round the dose up to 10 units to make measurement easier

C.Give the insulin via the intravenous route to act faster

D.Use a dedicated insulin syringe graduated in units and have the dose independently double-checked

Explanation: Insulin is a high-alert medicine. It must be measured with an insulin-specific syringe marked in units, never a standard mL syringe, and an independent double-check is recommended. The word 'units' must always be written in full to avoid being misread as a zero.

9A medication chart instructs 'morphine 2.5 mg subcutaneously PRN for pain, maximum every 4 hours.' What does the abbreviation PRN indicate?

A.Give as required, based on assessment of the patient's need

B.Give as a regular fixed dose at set times

C.Give per rectum nightly

D.Give only by the night nurse

Explanation: PRN (pro re nata) means 'as required' or 'when necessary.' The nurse assesses the patient's pain and the time since the last dose before deciding to administer, never exceeding the stated maximum frequency.

10A nurse notices that a prescribed dose appears unusually high for the patient and is uncertain it is safe. What is the most appropriate action before administration?

A.Administer the dose because a prescriber has signed for it

B.Halve the dose using professional judgement and give it

C.Withhold the dose, clarify the order with the prescriber, and document the concern

D.Ask the patient whether they think the dose looks correct and proceed accordingly

Explanation: Nurses are accountable for medicines they administer. If a dose seems unsafe, the nurse withholds it, clarifies with the prescriber or pharmacist, and documents the action. Administering a medicine the nurse believes is unsafe breaches professional responsibility.

About the NCNZ IQN Theoretical Exam Exam

The IQN Theoretical Examination is the Nursing Council of New Zealand's computer-based competence test for internationally qualified nurses, introduced in the 2023 competence assessment process that replaced the former CAP. The registered nurse exam has 120 multiple-choice questions across Part A (Medication Safety) and Part B (Nursing Knowledge), delivered at Pearson VUE test centres. Passing it is required before the in-person clinical OSCE in Christchurch.

Assessment

Computer-based multiple-choice exam in two parts. Registered nurse: Part A Medication Safety (12 questions) and Part B Nursing Knowledge (108 questions), 120 questions total. A clinical OSCE follows after passing.

Time Limit

165 minutes of testing for registered nurses (Part A 30 min + Part B 135 min), plus a separate 15-minute introduction and software tutorial.

Passing Score

Pass/Fail result only; no numeric pass mark is published. Candidates must pass both Part A and Part B and have up to three attempts, re-sitting only the part(s) failed.

Exam Fee

NZ$140 for the full IQN exam; re-sit Part A NZ$32, re-sit Part B NZ$108 (payable in NZD via Pearson VUE). (Nursing Council of New Zealand (Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa))

NCNZ IQN Theoretical Exam Exam Content Outline

10%

Part A: Medication Safety

Medication and fluid safety questions including medicine calculations, the rights of administration, high-alert medicines, controlled drugs and error prevention (12 of 120 questions for registered nurses).

20%

Professional Responsibility

Professional, legal and ethical responsibilities, cultural safety and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Code of Conduct, HPCA Act 2003, informed consent and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights.

43%

Management of Nursing Care

Comprehensive assessment and evidence-based care of common medical, surgical, maternal, child and mental health conditions, infection control, medication and fluid balance, and recognising and responding to clinical deterioration.

12%

Interpersonal Relationships

Therapeutic and interpersonal communication, patient education, de-escalation, documentation, and culturally responsive communication with health consumers and the team.

15%

Interprofessional Healthcare and Quality Improvement

Interprofessional collaboration and delegation, evidence-based practice, clinical audit, quality improvement, safe escalation, continuity of care and reflective practice.

How to Pass the NCNZ IQN Theoretical Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/Fail result only; no numeric pass mark is published. Candidates must pass both Part A and Part B and have up to three attempts, re-sitting only the part(s) failed.
Assessment: Computer-based multiple-choice exam in two parts. Registered nurse: Part A Medication Safety (12 questions) and Part B Nursing Knowledge (108 questions), 120 questions total. A clinical OSCE follows after passing.
Time limit: 165 minutes of testing for registered nurses (Part A 30 min + Part B 135 min), plus a separate 15-minute introduction and software tutorial.
Exam fee: NZ$140 for the full IQN exam; re-sit Part A NZ$32, re-sit Part B NZ$108 (payable in NZD via Pearson VUE).

Keys to Passing

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

NCNZ IQN Theoretical Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study the Nursing Council's registered nurse standards of competence, Code of Conduct, cultural safety (Kawa Whakaruruhau) and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, because Part B questions are mapped directly to these documents.

2Drill medication and IV fluid calculations (tablets, volumes, weight-based doses and drip rates) until they are quick and accurate, since Part A focuses heavily on medication and fluid safety.

3Practise scenario-based questions that ask for the safest or most appropriate nursing action, and use the official sample questions on the Nursing Council website to get used to the Pearson VUE format.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NCNZ IQN Theoretical Examination?

The registered nurse examination has 120 multiple-choice questions: Part A Medication Safety has 12 questions and Part B Nursing Knowledge has 108 questions. The enrolled nurse examination has 90 questions (9 + 81).

How long is the IQN theory exam and how much does it cost?

Registered nurses have 165 minutes of testing time (30 minutes for Part A plus 135 minutes for Part B), with a separate 15-minute introduction and tutorial. The full exam fee is NZ$140, paid through Pearson VUE.

What is the passing score and how many attempts are allowed?

Results are reported as Pass or Fail with no published numeric mark. Candidates must pass both Part A and Part B and have up to three attempts within their six-month eligibility period, re-sitting only the part they failed.

What does the IQN exam cover and what comes after it?

Part A covers medication and fluid safety including calculations; Part B is closely linked to the Council's registered or enrolled nurse standards of competence. After passing, candidates complete a clinical OSCE in Christchurch, New Zealand.