AKTH School of Post Basic Critical Nursing Kano Past Questions and Answers

Is your dream to become a specialist nurse in one of Nigeria’s most prestigious health institutions? Do you want to move beyond general nursing and master the art of saving lives in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)?

If you are reading this, you have likely set your sights on the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) School of Post Basic Critical Nursing. This is not just another nursing school; it is a center of excellence that trains the “Special Forces” of the nursing world.

However, the path to admission is not a walk in the park. The entrance examination is rigorous, competitive, and designed to filter out the unprepared.

“Success is not an accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” — Pelé

At Manny Spark, we have helped hundreds of nurses secure their admission by providing them with the Updated AKTH Past Questions and Answers. This article is your first step toward that success. It covers everything from the school’s location and culture to a detailed breakdown of what the exam looks like.

The Prestige of AKTH Nursing

Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) is a Federal Government Tertiary Health Institution that serves as a referral center not just for Kano State, but for the entire Northern region of Nigeria and even neighboring countries.¹

The School of Post Basic Critical Nursing at AKTH is renowned for producing nurses who are clinically sound and academically brilliant. When you train here, you are not just reading textbooks; you are rotating through a busy 700-bed hospital with a fully functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dialysis Center, and Accident & Emergency Department.

Why is this important for you?

Because the entrance exam reflects this high standard. The examiners expect you to have a solid grasp of basic nursing principles before you even step into the classroom.

Location and Environment: What to Expect in Kano

For many applicants traveling from the South or other parts of the North, locating the school is the first hurdle.

• Specific Location: The hospital is situated at No. 1 Zaria Road, Unguwa Uku, Kano State.²

• Landmarks: It is easily accessible via the Zaria-Kano expressway. If you are entering Kano from Zaria/Kaduna, the hospital is on your right just as you enter the city proper.

• The Campus: The environment is strictly academic and clinical. The School of Post Basic Nursing is located within the hospital complex, meaning you are always close to the clinical action.

• Accommodation: The school provides hostel facilities for students, which fosters a tight-knit community of learning.

• Security: The hospital is in a secure, high-traffic area of Kano metropolis.

Why Specializing in Critical Care Nursing Matters

Before we dive into the questions, let’s remind ourselves why you are doing this. Critical Care Nursing is one of the most lucrative and fulfilling specialties in Nigeria and abroad.

By passing the AKTH entrance exam, you are investing in a future where you are an indispensable asset to any hospital.

Admission Requirements and Eligibility

To sit for the exam, you must meet these criteria:

1. Registered Nurse (RN): You must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and possess a valid practicing license.

2. Academic Qualifications: Five (5) credits in WAEC/NECO/NABTEB including English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry (in not more than two sittings).³

3. Experience: Ideally, you should have at least one year of post-qualification experience.

The Entrance Examination Structure

The AKTH Post Basic Critical Nursing exam is designed to test your speed, accuracy, and clinical judgment.

• Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and potentially an Essay/Theory section depending on the year.

• Duration: Usually 1 to 2 hours.

• Key Areas:

  • Medical-Surgical Nursing: 40%

  • Basic Critical Care/Emergency: 30%

  • Anatomy & Physiology: 15%

  • English & Current Affairs: 15%

Detailed Sample Past Questions

These questions are selected from previous years to give you a realistic idea of what to expect. Note: The full package containing hundreds of questions is available for N5,000.

Section A: Critical Care & Emergency Nursing

1. A patient with a spinal cord injury at the level of T4 complains of a severe headache, blurred vision, and has a blood pressure of 210/110 mmHg. The nurse suspects:

A) Spinal Shock

B) Autonomic Dysreflexia

C) Meningitis

D) Orthostatic Hypotension

2. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a CVP (Central Venous Pressure) line?

A) To measure arterial blood pressure

B) To administer oral medications

C) To measure right atrial pressure and fluid status

D) To measure intracranial pressure

3. In the management of a patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), the nurse knows that the “Prone Position” is used to:

A) Prevent bed sores on the back

B) Improve oxygenation by recruiting collapsed alveoli

C) Facilitate feeding

D) Allow the patient to sleep better

4. When performing CPR on an adult, the depth of chest compressions should be at least:

A) 1 inch (2.5 cm)

B) 2 inches (5 cm)

C) 3 inches (7.5 cm)

D) 1.5 inches (4 cm)

5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause cardiac arrest characterized by “Tall T-waves” on an ECG?

A) Hypokalemia

B) Hypernatremia

C) Hyperkalemia

D) Hypocalcemia

Section B: General Nursing & Anatomy

6. The nurse is administering a blood transfusion. Which solution should be used to prime the tubing?

A) 5% Dextrose in Water

B) Lactated Ringer’s

C) 0.9% Normal Saline

D) Sterile Water

7. The “Circle of Willis” is located in the:

A) Heart

B) Kidney

C) Brain

D) Lungs

8. A patient is prescribed Digoxin. The nurse should withhold the medication if the apical pulse is below:

A) 80 bpm

B) 60 bpm

C) 100 bpm

D) 90 bpm

9. Which organ is responsible for the production of Bile?

A) Gallbladder

B) Pancreas

C) Liver

D) Stomach

10. The term “Nosocomial Infection” refers to:

A) An infection acquired in the community

B) An infection acquired in a hospital setting

C) An infection that is incurable

D) An infection caused by a virus

Comprehensive Answers and Explanations

Memorizing answers is good, but understanding the rationale is what makes you a Critical Care Nurse.

1. Answer: B (Autonomic Dysreflexia)

• Rationale: This is a life-threatening emergency in spinal cord injury patients (above T6). It is triggered by a noxious stimulus (like a full bladder) and causes dangerous hypertension.

2. Answer: C (To measure right atrial pressure)

• Rationale: CVP measures the pressure in the vena cava or right atrium, reflecting the amount of blood returning to the heart (preload). It guides fluid resuscitation.

3. Answer: B (Improve oxygenation)

• Rationale: Proning matches ventilation with perfusion in the lungs and relieves the weight of the heart/abdomen on the lungs, helping to open up collapsed air sacs.

4. Answer: B (2 inches / 5 cm)

• Rationale: Effective perfusion during CPR requires deep compressions to squeeze the heart.

5. Answer: C (Hyperkalemia)

• Rationale: High potassium levels (Hyperkalemia) disrupt the heart’s electrical activity, leading to peaked T-waves and eventually asystole.

6. Answer: C (0.9% Normal Saline)

• Rationale: Normal Saline is isotonic. Dextrose causes hemolysis (bursting of blood cells), and Lactated Ringer’s contains calcium which can cause clotting in the bag.

7. Answer: C (Brain)

• Rationale: The Circle of Willis is an arterial circle at the base of the brain that supplies blood to the brain.

8. Answer: B (60 bpm)

• Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. If the heart rate is already low (bradycardia), giving it can cause the heart to stop.

9. Answer: C (Liver)

• Rationale: The Liver produces bile; the Gallbladder only stores and concentrates it.

10. Answer: B (Hospital-acquired)

• Rationale: Also known as Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), these appear 48 hours or more after admission.

Study Strategies: How to Pass in One Sitting

Buying the past questions is the first step. Here is how Dr. Manny recommends you use them:

1. Simulate Exam Conditions: Set a timer for 60 minutes and attempt 50 questions from our pack without checking the answers.

2. Identify Weaknesses: If you fail questions on “Cardiac Arrhythmias,” go back to your textbooks and read that chapter.

3. Group Study: If you have colleagues applying, quiz each other. Teaching someone else is the best way to learn.

4. Stay Updated: Read up on current health trends in Nigeria (e.g., Lassa Fever protocols, Cholera outbreaks) as these often appear in the “Current Affairs” section.

Living in Kano: A Guide for Non-Indigenes

If you are coming from outside Kano, you might be worried about logistics.

• Language: While Hausa is the dominant language, English is the official language of the hospital and school. You will survive just fine with English, though learning greetings like “Ina Kwana” (Good morning) helps build rapport.

• Cost of Living: Kano is significantly cheaper than Lagos or Abuja. You can get a decent meal for N500 – N1000.

• Transport: Tricycles (Keke Napep) are the main mode of transport. A drop is usually affordable.

• Climate: It can get very hot (March-May) and very dusty/cold (Harmattan in Dec-Jan). Pack accordingly!

Why You Must Buy the Full Past Question Pack (N5,000)

The sample questions above are just 5% of what you need to know. The AKTH exam is known for repeating questions from their “Question Bank.”

By purchasing the Manny Spark Comprehensive Pack, you get:

• 5+ Years of Past Questions: Verifiable questions from previous exams.

• Mathematics for Nurses: Dosage calculations, drip rates, and conversions (a common failure point for many).

• English Language Section: Synonyms, antonyms, and reading comprehension.

• Direct Access to Dr. Manny: Guidance on the interview stage if you pass the written exam.

The Investment:

N5,000 is a tiny fraction of your first month’s salary as a Critical Care Nurse. Don’t be “penny wise and pound foolish.”

How to Download the Complete Material

We have made the process seamless and instant. No waiting days for delivery.

Step-by-Step Purchase Guide:

1. Contact Dr. Manny: Call or WhatsApp 08039822082 to request the account details.

2. Make Payment: Transfer the sum of N5,000.

3. Send Proof: Send a screenshot of the transaction to the same WhatsApp number or email info@mannyspark.com.

4. Receive Your File: The PDF will be sent to your WhatsApp or Email immediately upon confirmation.

We respect your time and trust. Manny Spark is a registered and recognized educational brand.

Takeaway

The AKTH School of Post Basic Critical Nursing is a gateway to an elite career. The exam is the gatekeeper.

• Don’t rely on luck.

• Don’t rely on “General Knowledge.”

• Rely on the patterns of the past.

You have the ambition. We have the map. Let’s get you admitted.

Call Dr. Manny now at 08039822082 and get your study material today!