All International Nursing Practice MCQs

Question 1

A registered nurse in the UK notices that a prescribed medicine was given to the wrong patient. The patient has no immediate symptoms. What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Report the error promptly and assess the patient

Answer

Hide the error unless the patient becomes unwell

Answer

Ask a colleague to decide whether it matters

Answer

Correct the medication record without mentioning it

Question 2

A nurse asks a healthcare assistant to record the fluid intake of a stable patient. Which action best demonstrates accountability under the NMC Code?

Accepted Answer

Check that the assistant is competent and give clear instructions

Answer

Delegate the task and leave the ward immediately

Answer

Ask the assistant to teach another worker the same task

Answer

Assume the assistant will report any concern without prompting

Question 3

A patient who has capacity refuses a recommended treatment after the nurse explains its purpose and possible consequences. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Respect the refusal and document the discussion

Answer

Arrange the treatment because it is clinically beneficial

Answer

Ask the family to overrule the patient's decision

Answer

Continue persuading the patient until consent is obtained

Question 4

A nurse discovers that a colleague has repeatedly documented observations before taking them. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Raise the concern promptly through the proper procedure

Answer

Ignore it because the colleague is experienced

Answer

Discuss it publicly during the next team meeting

Answer

Change the colleague's entries to make them accurate

Question 5

Which entry best meets the NMC Code requirements for clinical records?

Accepted Answer

Patient walked 20 metres with one staff member at 10:00

Answer

The patient seems better today

Answer

Normal observations, probably safe to discharge

Answer

Patient was difficult and probably seeking attention

Question 6

A nurse is concerned that a colleague may be working while impaired by alcohol. No patient has yet been harmed. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Raise the concern immediately with the appropriate senior person

Answer

Wait until a medication error occurs

Answer

Post a warning about the colleague on social media

Answer

Ask patients whether they have noticed unusual behaviour

Question 7

A nurse receives a friend request from a current patient on a personal social media account. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Decline it and maintain the professional boundary

Answer

Accept it but avoid discussing the patient's care

Answer

Accept it after the patient has been discharged

Answer

Ask another nurse to manage the online friendship

Question 8

A nurse feels unable to provide safe care because unfamiliar equipment is introduced on the ward. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Tell the manager about the limitation and seek support

Answer

Use the equipment and learn from any mistakes

Answer

Refuse all future care on the ward

Answer

Ask a patient to explain how the equipment works

Question 9

A nurse is asked to work an additional shift while extremely fatigued and believes this could affect patient safety. Which action is most consistent with the NMC Code?

Accepted Answer

Explain the safety concern to the responsible manager

Answer

Accept the shift and conceal the fatigue

Answer

Ask a patient to monitor the nurse during the shift

Answer

Take the shift and leave if an error occurs

Question 10

A nurse has completed a relevant learning activity but has not yet applied the learning in practice. Which action best supports professional accountability?

Accepted Answer

Reflect on the learning and identify how it affects practice

Answer

Record the activity without considering its relevance

Answer

Ask a colleague to sign that the learning was completed

Answer

Assume every learning activity automatically improves care

Question 11

In the UK, a patient develops harm after a delay in recognising their deterioration. The nurse is involved in the incident and has informed the senior nurse. What action best meets the NMC Code?

Accepted Answer

Support an open explanation and apology to the patient

Answer

Discuss only the clinical details with other staff

Answer

Wait until the investigation ends before speaking

Answer

Ask a colleague to explain the incident instead

Question 12

In the UK, a patient's relative asks the nurse for an update, but the patient has capacity and has not agreed to share information. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Explain that information cannot be shared without consent

Answer

Give a brief update about the patient's progress

Answer

Share information if the relative appears concerned

Answer

Ask another nurse to provide the requested information

Question 13

In the UK, a student nurse asks a registered nurse to sign a competency assessment for a procedure that the registered nurse has not observed. What should the registered nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Decline to sign and arrange direct assessment

Answer

Sign it because the student reports completing the procedure

Answer

Sign it after asking another student for confirmation

Answer

Delay the signature until the student completes more procedures

Question 14

In the UK, a grateful patient offers a nurse an expensive watch at the end of an admission. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Decline it politely and follow the local gifts policy

Answer

Accept it privately to avoid embarrassing the patient

Answer

Accept it if the patient says it has little value

Answer

Accept it and give it to a colleague later

Question 15

In the UK, a nurse notices that a specimen label is incorrect before the specimen leaves the ward. No patient has been harmed. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Report the near miss through the local process

Answer

Correct the label and take no further action

Answer

Discard the specimen without informing anyone

Answer

Wait to see whether the laboratory rejects it

Question 16

In the UK, a nurse is asked to countersign a controlled-drug count that they did not witness. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to sign and report the concern appropriately

Answer

Countersign because the other nurse is experienced

Answer

Countersign after checking the cupboard balance

Answer

Sign it later if the next count is accurate

Question 17

In the UK, a nurse identifies that a care task delegated to a healthcare assistant is outside the assistant's training. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Complete the task or arrange suitable competent support

Answer

Allow the task if the assistant is willing

Answer

Ask the assistant to watch an online demonstration

Answer

Delegate the task to another untrained worker

Question 18

In the UK, a nurse raises a concern about repeated missed observations, but the immediate manager dismisses it without investigation. What should the nurse do next?

Accepted Answer

Escalate the concern using the organisation's procedure

Answer

Stop raising the concern to avoid conflict

Answer

Discuss the issue informally with patients

Answer

Post details of the concern on social media

Question 19

In the UK, a patient asks a nurse to write that the patient was unable to attend an appointment, although the patient chose not to attend. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse and provide only accurate factual information

Answer

Write the statement to support the patient's request

Answer

Record the patient's preferred explanation as reported

Answer

Ask a colleague to complete the statement instead

Question 20

In the UK, a nurse hears a colleague discussing an identifiable patient's diagnosis in a crowded hospital lift. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Remind the colleague to stop and move the discussion privately

Answer

Ignore it because the discussion concerns patient care

Answer

Join the discussion so the information is accurate

Answer

Wait until the colleague finishes before raising the issue

All Free International Nursing Practice MCQs with Answers