All International Nursing Practice MCQs

Question 1

In England, a patient is asked to sign consent for a lumbar puncture. The patient says the clinician explained the purpose but did not discuss important possible complications or alternatives. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Ask the patient to discuss the missing information with the clinician

Answer

Witness the signature because the patient accepts the procedure

Answer

Explain every possible complication before obtaining the signature

Answer

Proceed because the procedure has already been recommended

Question 2

In England, an adult with capacity agrees to surgery while a relative repeatedly says, “You must do this.” What should the nurse do before accepting the consent?

Accepted Answer

Speak with the patient privately to check the choice is voluntary

Answer

Accept the consent because the patient has said yes

Answer

Ask the relative to sign as an additional witness

Answer

Ask the surgeon to proceed because the treatment is beneficial

Question 3

In England, a 14-year-old who is assessed as Gillick competent asks for confidential sexual health advice. The young person understands the advice and there is no indication of abuse or serious harm. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Provide confidential advice and explain its limits

Answer

Refuse confidentiality because the patient is under 16

Answer

Tell the parents before discussing the health concern

Answer

Ask the school to decide whether advice can be given

Question 4

In England, an 8-year-old does not understand a proposed routine operation. A parent with parental responsibility gives consent after receiving appropriate information. Which principle applies?

Accepted Answer

The parent may consent when treatment is in the child’s best interests

Answer

The child must give written consent before treatment

Answer

The nurse may consent because the child lacks understanding

Answer

The operation is unlawful unless a court gives permission

Question 5

In England, a 16-year-old understands the purpose, risks and alternatives of a proposed operation and wishes to proceed. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Obtain the young person’s own consent after checking understanding

Answer

Obtain consent only from a parent with parental responsibility

Answer

Treat the young person as unable to consent until age 18

Answer

Delay treatment until a court confirms the young person’s choice

Question 6

In England, a 17-year-old with capacity refuses a non-emergency operation after receiving clear information. The parents demand that staff proceed. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Stop the preparation and urgently seek senior and legal advice

Answer

Proceed because parental consent overrides the refusal

Answer

Ignore the refusal because the operation is clinically advisable

Answer

Ask the parents to hold the patient during the operation

Question 7

In England, which feature is required for an advance decision to refuse life-sustaining treatment to be legally binding?

Accepted Answer

It is written, signed and witnessed, and states it applies even if life is at risk

Answer

It is spoken to a relative during a hospital admission

Answer

It is recorded by a nurse without the patient’s signature

Answer

It is mentioned casually in a previous outpatient appointment

Question 8

In England, a patient who speaks very little English needs to consent to an invasive procedure. The patient’s adult child offers to interpret. What should the nurse arrange?

Accepted Answer

Use a professional interpreter and check the patient’s understanding

Answer

Use the child because the family knows the patient best

Answer

Ask the patient to sign because the procedure is necessary

Answer

Cancel the procedure permanently because communication is difficult

Question 9

In England, a patient gives verbal consent for a procedure after discussion with the clinician. Which record best demonstrates the consent process?

Accepted Answer

A note of the information given, questions asked and decision made

Answer

The patient’s signature alone on a standard form

Answer

A statement that the treatment is routine and therefore needs no record

Answer

A relative’s confirmation that the patient usually accepts treatment

Question 10

In England and Wales, a patient has a diagnosis of dementia but answers questions accurately and makes a clear decision about accepting antibiotics. What should the nurse conclude?

Accepted Answer

The patient has capacity for this decision unless evidence shows otherwise

Answer

The diagnosis automatically means the patient lacks capacity

Answer

A relative must give consent before treatment can proceed

Answer

The patient must undergo a formal court assessment first

Question 11

In England and Wales, a patient can understand and retain information about a proposed operation but cannot weigh the benefits and risks because of an impairment affecting reasoning. What is the most appropriate conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The patient lacks capacity for this specific decision

Answer

The patient has capacity because the information was retained

Answer

The patient has capacity because the operation is recommended

Answer

The patient lacks capacity for every future decision

Question 12

In England, a patient is detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act and refuses prescribed medication for the mental disorder. The patient lacks capacity to consent. What should the nurse recognise?

Accepted Answer

The Mental Health Act may authorise treatment for the mental disorder

Answer

The medication can never be given without family consent

Answer

The Mental Capacity Act always replaces the Mental Health Act

Answer

A relative can legally consent on the patient’s behalf

Question 13

In England and Wales, an adult with capacity tells the nurse that information about a diagnosis must remain confidential. The nurse later learns that withholding the information could expose another identifiable person to a serious and immediate risk of harm. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Escalate the concern and disclose only necessary information

Answer

Share the complete record with everyone involved

Answer

Keep confidentiality regardless of any risk

Answer

Ask the patient’s relative to decide what may be shared

Question 14

In England and Wales, a registered nurse and the patient’s family strongly disagree about a proposed life-sustaining treatment. The patient lacks capacity, and there is no applicable advance decision or health and welfare attorney. What should the nurse support?

Accepted Answer

The disagreement should be referred to the Court of Protection

Answer

The eldest relative’s decision should be followed

Answer

The nurse should decide without further discussion

Answer

Treatment should always be stopped when relatives disagree

Question 15

In England and Wales, a deputy appointed by the Court of Protection to manage a patient’s property and financial affairs asks to consent to the patient’s operation. What should the nurse check?

Accepted Answer

Whether the deputy has authority over health and welfare decisions

Answer

Whether the deputy is the patient’s closest living relative

Answer

Whether the patient has private health insurance

Answer

Whether the deputy has previously visited the ward

Question 16

In England and Wales, a patient with capacity makes a decision that the clinical team considers unwise and potentially harmful. The patient understands, retains and weighs the relevant information. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Respect the decision and document the discussion

Answer

Ask the family to overrule the patient’s decision

Answer

Record that the patient lacks capacity due to the risk

Answer

Arrange treatment without telling the patient

Question 17

In England and Wales, a patient who lacks capacity is being considered for a proposed research study rather than routine clinical treatment. What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Check that the study has the required ethical and legal safeguards

Answer

Treat family agreement as sufficient permission

Answer

Enrol the patient because the study may help the ward

Answer

Assume research has the same rules as emergency treatment

Question 18

In England and Wales, a patient with capacity agrees to routine blood pressure measurement and holds out an arm. Which principle best describes this consent?

Accepted Answer

The patient’s cooperation can provide valid consent for routine care

Answer

Consent must always be signed before contact

Answer

A family member must witness every nursing procedure

Answer

Routine care may proceed even after clear refusal

Question 19

In England and Wales, a person with capacity asks the nurse to explain a treatment using simple language and extra time before deciding. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Provide the requested support and allow time for a decision

Answer

Explain that extra support proves a lack of capacity

Answer

Ask a relative to make the decision instead

Answer

Start treatment because the patient is delaying care

Question 20

In England and Wales, a patient with capacity agrees to a urinary catheter after receiving an explanation. Before the procedure begins, the patient asks the nurse to explain one part again. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Pause and provide the requested explanation

Answer

Proceed because consent was already given

Answer

Ask the relative to explain the procedure

Answer

Obtain a signature before answering questions

All Free International Nursing Practice MCQs with Answers