MOH Exam Questions and Answers for Nurses 2026: What the UAE MOHAP Nursing Exam Tests, the Pass Mark and Format, and 20 Free MOH-style Questions with Answers and Explanations
Preparing for the MOH exam for nurses? This guide explains the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) nursing exam in 2026: the number of questions, time, pass mark and domains, how it compares with the DHA and DOH papers, why the 'MOH questions PDF' files are outdated, and 20 free MOH-style nursing questions with answers and explanations across medical-surgical, pharmacology, maternal, paediatric, critical care, infection control and professional practice.
The MOH exam, properly the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) licensing exam, is the gateway to nursing jobs in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain and in federal hospitals across the UAE. It is the cheapest and often the fastest UAE licence, and many nurses take it first and move to Dubai or Abu Dhabi later. The paper is delivered by Prometric and follows the same registered nurse blueprint as the DHA exam, so a nurse who prepares for one is prepared for the other. This guide explains the format and gives 20 free MOH-style questions with answers. The full route is in the MOH exam for nurses guide.
The MOH nursing exam at a glance (2026)
| Item | MOHAP Registered Nurse exam |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Computer-based at Prometric centres worldwide, booked after MOHAP issues eligibility |
| Questions | About 100 to 150 single-best-answer MCQs |
| Time | About 2 to 3 hours |
| Pass mark | About 60% (the eligibility letter is the authoritative source) |
| Domains | Medical-surgical nursing, fundamentals and professional practice, pharmacology and calculations, maternal and newborn, paediatric, mental health, critical care and emergency, infection control, community health and ethics |
| Attempts | Usually three per eligibility with waiting periods |
| Fee | About USD 200 to 280 per attempt (MOHAP fees) |
| Same blueprint as | DHA (Prometric) and DOH (Pearson VUE); one preparation covers all three (DHA vs MOHAP vs DOH) |
Prepare with the Registered Nurse bank (chapter 1 free with explanations) and the plan in MOH exam preparation online; the authority page is MOHAP exam for nurses.
About the "MOH exam questions PDF"
The files shared in Telegram and Facebook groups as "MOH nursing questions" are the same recalled lists relabelled for DHA, HAAD and Prometric, mostly from 2015 to 2020, with answers typed by whoever compiled them. They are useful only as a topic list; their answers are often wrong against current guidelines. The questions below are original, written to the current blueprint, with the reasoning you need to answer the variations the real paper will ask. More on the PDF trap is in Prometric exam questions PDF.
20 free MOH-style nursing questions with answers
Medical-surgical
1. A patient with heart failure has gained 2.5 kg in three days with bibasal crackles and orthopnoea. The nurse's first actions are: (A) encourage fluids (B) sit upright, give oxygen if hypoxic, administer the prescribed intravenous diuretic and start strict fluid balance (C) lie flat with legs raised (D) give a fluid bolus. Answer: B. Weight gain over 2 kg in three days is the reporting threshold.
2. Which finding after a total hip replacement suggests dislocation? (A) mild incisional pain (B) sudden severe pain, shortening and internal rotation of the leg (C) swelling of the calf (D) reduced appetite. Answer: B. Keep the hip abducted and avoid flexion beyond 90 degrees.
3. A patient with a nasogastric tube on continuous feeding should be positioned: (A) flat (B) head of bed at 30 to 45 degrees (C) on the left side (D) prone. Answer: B. Reduces aspiration.
4. A patient with a new colostomy has a stoma that is dusky purple. The nurse: (A) documents as normal (B) reports immediately because it suggests ischaemia (C) applies a warm compress (D) changes the appliance. Answer: B. A healthy stoma is pink or red and moist.
Pharmacology and calculations
5. A 60 kg patient is prescribed dopamine 5 mcg/kg/min. The solution is 400 mg in 250 mL. The pump rate is: (A) 5.6 mL/h (B) 11.25 mL/h (C) 18 mL/h (D) 22.5 mL/h. Answer: B. 300 mcg/min = 18,000 mcg/h; 1,600 mcg/mL; 18,000 ÷ 1,600 = 11.25.
6. A patient on an ACE inhibitor reports a persistent dry cough. The nurse: (A) gives a cough suppressant (B) recognises a known side effect and informs the prescriber, who may switch to an ARB (C) doubles the dose (D) stops all antihypertensives. Answer: B. Angio-oedema is the dangerous effect.
7. Metformin is held before: (A) all blood tests (B) iodinated contrast and for 48 hours after (C) physiotherapy (D) breakfast. Answer: B. Lactic acidosis risk if kidney injury follows.
8. Before giving a first dose of intravenous penicillin, the most important check is: (A) blood pressure (B) allergy history (C) blood glucose (D) urine output. Answer: B. Adrenaline 0.5 mg IM is the anaphylaxis treatment.
Maternal and newborn
9. During a contraction the fetal heart rate slows, reaching its lowest point after the contraction's peak. This is: (A) early deceleration (B) late deceleration, suggesting uteroplacental insufficiency (C) acceleration (D) variable deceleration. Answer: B. Reposition, stop oxytocin, fluids, oxygen, notify.
10. A newborn's Apgar at one minute: heart rate 110, strong cry, active, grimace, blue extremities. Score: (A) 6 (B) 8 (C) 10 (D) 4. Answer: B.
11. A breastfeeding mother on day 4 has hard, warm, painful breasts with no fever. The nurse advises: (A) stop feeding (B) frequent feeding or expressing, warm compresses before and cold after (C) antibiotics (D) bind the breasts. Answer: B. Engorgement, not mastitis.
Paediatric
12. A 2-year-old with gastroenteritis has sunken eyes, dry mouth, drinks eagerly and has capillary refill of 3 seconds. Management: (A) no treatment (B) oral rehydration solution about 75 mL/kg over 4 hours with zinc (C) intravenous bolus immediately (D) antidiarrhoeals. Answer: B. Some dehydration; antimotility drugs are not used in children.
13. A 2-year-old has a barking cough, hoarse voice and inspiratory stridor at rest. First-line treatment: (A) antibiotics (B) a single dose of oral dexamethasone (C) throat examination with a tongue depressor (D) humidifier only. Answer: B. Croup; nebulised adrenaline for severe stridor.
Mental health
14. A patient says, "Everyone would be better off without me." The best response: (A) "Don't say that." (B) "It sounds like you feel hopeless. Are you having thoughts of ending your life?" (C) change the subject (D) "Everyone feels that way sometimes." Answer: B. Asking directly does not increase risk.
15. A patient on lithium has coarse tremor, vomiting, diarrhoea and confusion after a febrile illness. The nurse: (A) gives the next dose (B) withholds lithium, notifies the physician and obtains a level (C) gives an antiemetic only (D) restricts fluids. Answer: B. Toxicity above about 1.5 mmol/L.
Critical care and emergency
16. A ventilated patient's high-pressure alarm sounds and he is coughing and biting the tube. First: (A) silence the alarm (B) assess the patient, check for obstruction or kinking, suction if needed, insert a bite block, and if unclear disconnect and bag with 100% oxygen while calling for help (C) increase tidal volume (D) extubate. Answer: B. DOPE approach.
17. A patient with a lactate of 4.5 mmol/L and hypotension from a urinary source needs within the first hour: (A) oral antibiotics (B) cultures then intravenous antibiotics, 30 mL/kg crystalloid, repeat lactate and urine output monitoring (C) antipyretics only (D) waiting for cultures. Answer: B. Sepsis hour-one bundle.
Infection control and professional practice
18. After caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile, hand hygiene should be: (A) alcohol gel (B) soap and water, because alcohol does not kill spores (C) gloves only (D) not needed if gloves were worn. Answer: B.
19. A telephone order for a medication at night must be: (A) given from memory (B) written down, read back in full, documented as a verbal order and countersigned within policy time (C) refused always (D) given if the nurse knows the doctor. Answer: B.
20. The nurse realises a patient received another patient's oral antihypertensive two hours ago; the patient is asymptomatic. The nurse: (A) says nothing (B) assesses and monitors, notifies the prescriber and nurse in charge, informs the patient, documents the facts and completes an incident report (C) documents the correct drug (D) reports only if the patient becomes unwell. Answer: B. Just culture.
How to prepare for the MOH nursing exam
- Confirm your title and eligibility with the free eligibility check and read the MOHAP licence guide.
- Work through the Registered Nurse bank by domain with an error log (error-log method).
- Use the free 20-question sets for every domain: medical-surgical, pharmacology, drug calculations, maternal and newborn, paediatric, mental health, critical care and infection control.
- Sit three timed mocks in the final two weeks, then book through the Prometric scheduler once eligibility arrives (how to register).
Frequently asked questions
Is the MOH exam the same as the DHA exam for nurses?
The blueprint, format and pass mark are very similar and both are delivered by Prometric; MOHAP is cheaper and often faster, not easier.
How many questions are in the MOH nursing exam?
About 100 to 150 MCQs in 2 to 3 hours with a pass mark of about 60%; your eligibility letter is the authoritative source.
Where can I get free MOH exam questions for nurses?
The 20 questions above, the free domain sets linked in this article, and the free chapter 1 of the Registered Nurse bank.
Can I work in Dubai with a MOH licence?
No, Dubai needs a DHA licence, but the transfer is quick with the same DataFlow report and UAE experience.
How long should I prepare for the MOH nursing exam?
Four to eight weeks of daily practice for nurses with two or more years of experience.
Practice banks for this exam
Chapter-wise MCQs with written reasoning on every question, and timed mocks at the real pass mark.