There are two question formats:
1. Rank five possible responses in the most appropriate order
2. Select the three most appropriate responses for the situation
Some example questions can be seen below. The answers can be found on the Example question - answers page.
Please note - the example questions are intended to be illustrative of the content and structure of the SJT. A worked practice paper will be available as part of an applicant information pack in early June.
Ranking questions
Question one
You are just finishing a busy shift on the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU). Your FY1 colleague who is due to replace you for the evening shift leaves a message with the nurse in charge that she will be 15 to 30 minutes late. There is only a 30 minute overlap between your timetables to handover to your colleague. You need to leave on time as you have a social engagement to attend with your partner.
Rank in order the following actions in response to this situation (1= Most appropriate; 5= Least appropriate).
A Make a list of the patients under your care on the AAU, detailing their outstanding issues, leaving this on the doctor’s office notice board when your shift ends and then leave at the end of your shift
B Quickly go around each of the patients on the AAU, leaving an entry in the notes highlighting the major outstanding issues relating to each patient and then leave at the end of your shift
C Make a list of patients and outstanding investigations to give to your colleague as soon as she arrives
D Ask your registrar if you can leave a list of your patients and their outstanding issues with him to give to your colleague when she arrives and then leave at the end of your shift
E Leave a message for your partner explaining that you will be 30 minutes late
Question two
You are looking after Mr Kucera who has previously been treated for prostate
carcinoma. Preliminary investigations are strongly suggestive of a recurrence. As you finish taking blood from a neighbouring patient, Mr Kucera leans across and says “tell me honestly, is my cancer back?”
Rank in order the following actions in response to this situation (1= Most appropriate; 5= Least appropriate).
A Explain to Mr Kucera that it is likely that his cancer has come back
B Reassure Mr Kucera that he will be fine
C Explain to Mr Kucera that you do not have all the test results, but you will speak to him as soon as you do
D Inform Mr Kucera that you will chase up the results of his tests and ask one of your senior colleagues to discuss them with him
E Invite Mr Kucera to join you and a senior nurse in a quiet room, get a colleague to hold your ‘bleep’ then explore his fears
Select three best answers
Question three
You review a patient on the surgical ward who has had an appendicectomy done earlier on the day. You write a prescription for strong painkillers. The staff nurse challenges your decision and refuses to give the medication to the patient.
Choose the THREE most appropriate actions to take in this situation
A Instruct the nurse to give the medication to the patient
B Discuss with the nurse why she disagrees with the prescription
C Ask a senior colleague for advice
D Complete a clinical incident form
E Cancel the prescription on the nurse’s advice
F Arrange to speak to the nurse later to discuss your working relationship
G Write in the medical notes that the nurse has declined to give the medication
H Review the case again
Question four
A 45 year old alcoholic is admitted in the afternoon with delirium tremens after stopping drinking two days previously. During the night you are called to see him as he has become very aggressive and is demanding to be allowed home. As you arrive on the ward he punches one of the nurses. He is confused, shouting and threatening other patients.
Choose the THREE most appropriate actions to take in this situation
A Prescribe extra sedation for the patient
B Ask the nursing staff to call hospital security
C Attempt to talk to the patient to try and calm him down
D Reassure the other patients in the ward that they are safe
E Ask the nursing staff to help you restrain the patient
F Ask the nursing staff to call the police
G Inform the patient that his behaviour is inappropriate and will not be tolerated
H Ensure that the nurse who was punched is not badly injured
Question five
At lunch a FY1 colleague bursts into tears. She says she feels she is not coping with the job. She thinks that her consultant is too demanding and the nurses are annoyed because she is not keeping up with the workload.
Choose the THREE most appropriate actions to take in this situation.
A Talk to her about the circumstances of her distress
B Suggest she discusses the issues with her registrar
C Advise her to take a few days annual leave to rest
D Encourage her to seek some counselling
E Offer to go with her to talk to her consultant
F Inform her educational supervisor that she appears to be struggling
G Ask other members of the team to be supportive as she is having difficulties coping
H Offer to assist with some of her workload