Original RN OSCE scenario · VS-05
A child working harder to breathe
Vital signs practice in ed.
2 minutes reading · 8 minutes practice. Reading is free; AI practice requires sign-in and an available station allowance.
Complete candidate reading card
Your scenario and task
Maya Thomas, aged eight, is waiting in an ED assessment bay with her father after a cough worsened this morning. Assess her observations and respiratory effort, record them in the child observation record and arrange appropriate review. The patient is a manikin; address the patient and the examiner voices their answers and supplies findings. Dr Taylor Singh is reachable by phone. RN Alex Morgan is available. Noah Thomas is present.
What this type of station practises
Collect a coherent set of observations, notice a change from baseline and communicate your concern. A number becomes useful when you connect it to the person in front of you.
In “A child working harder to breathe”, use the task in the reading card to decide what to assess, explain and record in ed. Rehearse a ward review after a procedure, a change during a home visit or new symptoms in residential care. Decide what to assess first, what to repeat and how to record the time and response.
These are general rehearsal aims, not the answers to this scenario. Respond to information obtained during practice rather than a memorised solution.
Say-and-do preparation
Prepare the sequence and language with a related checklist. Online rehearsal develops thinking and explanations; physical technique needs supervised in-person practice.
ISBAR telephone rehearsal checklist →
Falls prevention conversation checklist →
Explore all vital signs scenarios → · RN OSCE exam structure →
Related RN OSCE scenarios
Last checked 2026-10-30 · NMBA exam information · RN Standards for Practice