← Fundamentals and patient safety
Observations and INEWS: RCSI aptitude test practice questions
About this topic
Observations and INEWS on the RCSI theory paper
Vital signs and normal ranges, the Irish National Early Warning System chart, escalation, ISBAR handover.
46 multiple-choice questions, each with an explanation and the document it was checked against. The whole topic is free to practise. Wrong answers come back first the next time you practise, and a question counts as mastered after two correct answers in a row.
Sample questions from this topic
Question 1
According to INEWS V2, what is the relationship between the INEWS score and clinical judgement?
- AThe score replaces clinical judgement once the patient is admitted
- BClinical judgement may only be used when the score is 0
- CThe score is only used by doctors
- DINEWS is an adjunct to clinical judgement and does not replace it
Show answer
Answer: D. Recommendation 1: INEWS is an adjunct to complement clinical judgement, designed to aid decision-making. The chart itself is printed with "INEWS should be used as an aid to clinical judgement and decision making".
Question 2
Which seven physiological observations make up INEWS V2?
- ARespiratory rate, SpO2, room air or oxygen, heart rate, blood pressure, level of consciousness (ACVPU), temperature
- BHeart rate, blood pressure, temperature, blood glucose, SpO2, pain, consciousness
- CRespiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, capillary refill, pupil size, urine output, pain score
- DRespiratory rate, SpO2, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, urine output, pain
Show answer
Answer: A. Recommendation 4 lists the seven: respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, room air or supplemental oxygen (any O2 adds 3), heart rate, blood pressure, level of consciousness on ACVPU and temperature. A full set should be recorded on all occasions. Urine output, pain and glucose are recorded elsewhere on the chart but are not scored.
Question 3
Which respiratory rate scores 0 on the INEWS V2 scoring key?
- A9 to 11 breaths per minute
- B12 to 20 breaths per minute
- C8 to 25 breaths per minute
- D21 to 24 breaths per minute
Show answer
Answer: B. Respiratory rate: 8 or below scores 3, 9 to 11 scores 1, 12 to 20 scores 0, 21 to 24 scores 2, 25 or above scores 3. Respiratory rate is often the first observation to change in a deteriorating patient, so it must be counted, not estimated.
The practice above shuffles the options each time and keeps your score. 30 more free questions across the paper, with a PDF.
Documents behind these questions
Every fact was checked against the public document named on the answer. This topic draws on: