Free The NMC Code and Professional Accountability MCQs with Answers
50 The NMC Code and Professional Accountability MCQs from International Nursing Practice, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
The NMC Code is organised around prioritising people, practising effectively, preserving safety, and promoting professionalism and trust. Accountability includes working within competence, obtaining consent, communicating clearly, keeping accurate records, maintaining confidentiality, delegating safely, raising concerns and acting with candour, while distinguishing personal professional responsibility from organisational policy.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. Hide the error unless the patient becomes unwell
- B. Report the error promptly and assess the patient
- C. Ask a colleague to decide whether it matters
- D. Correct the medication record without mentioning it
Explanation: The nurse must act promptly to preserve safety, assess the patient and report the incident through local procedures.
Correct answer: Report the error promptly and assess the patient- A. Delegate the task and leave the ward immediately
- B. Check that the assistant is competent and give clear instructions
- C. Ask the assistant to teach another worker the same task
- D. Assume the assistant will report any concern without prompting
Explanation: The nurse must delegate appropriately, confirm the person's competence and give clear instructions about the task and reporting concerns.
Correct answer: Check that the assistant is competent and give clear instructions- A. Arrange the treatment because it is clinically beneficial
- B. Ask the family to overrule the patient's decision
- C. Respect the refusal and document the discussion
- D. Continue persuading the patient until consent is obtained
Explanation: A person with capacity has the right to refuse treatment, even when the decision may result in harm.
Correct answer: Respect the refusal and document the discussion- A. Ignore it because the colleague is experienced
- B. Discuss it publicly during the next team meeting
- C. Raise the concern promptly through the proper procedure
- D. Change the colleague's entries to make them accurate
Explanation: Recording observations before they are taken creates a risk to patient safety and breaches professional record keeping.
Correct answer: Raise the concern promptly through the proper procedure- A. The patient seems better today
- B. Patient walked 20 metres with one staff member at 10:00
- C. Normal observations, probably safe to discharge
- D. Patient was difficult and probably seeking attention
Explanation: A professional record is clear, accurate, relevant and based on observed facts.
Correct answer: Patient walked 20 metres with one staff member at 10:00- A. Wait until a medication error occurs
- B. Raise the concern immediately with the appropriate senior person
- C. Post a warning about the colleague on social media
- D. Ask patients whether they have noticed unusual behaviour
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to act without delay when patient safety or the public may be at risk.
Correct answer: Raise the concern immediately with the appropriate senior person- A. Accept it but avoid discussing the patient's care
- B. Accept it after the patient has been discharged
- C. Decline it and maintain the professional boundary
- D. Ask another nurse to manage the online friendship
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to maintain professional boundaries and protect people's privacy.
Correct answer: Decline it and maintain the professional boundary- A. Use the equipment and learn from any mistakes
- B. Refuse all future care on the ward
- C. Tell the manager about the limitation and seek support
- D. Ask a patient to explain how the equipment works
Explanation: Nurses must recognise and work within the limits of their competence and take action to address gaps in knowledge or skill.
Correct answer: Tell the manager about the limitation and seek support- A. Accept the shift and conceal the fatigue
- B. Explain the safety concern to the responsible manager
- C. Ask a patient to monitor the nurse during the shift
- D. Take the shift and leave if an error occurs
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to recognise and manage risks to patients, including risks related to their own fitness to practise.
Correct answer: Explain the safety concern to the responsible manager- A. Record the activity without considering its relevance
- B. Reflect on the learning and identify how it affects practice
- C. Ask a colleague to sign that the learning was completed
- D. Assume every learning activity automatically improves care
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to maintain and develop knowledge and competence, and to use evidence and reflection to improve practice.
Correct answer: Reflect on the learning and identify how it affects practice- A. Discuss only the clinical details with other staff
- B. Support an open explanation and apology to the patient
- C. Wait until the investigation ends before speaking
- D. Ask a colleague to explain the incident instead
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to be open and candid when things go wrong, while supporting the formal duty of candour process.
Correct answer: Support an open explanation and apology to the patient- A. Give a brief update about the patient's progress
- B. Share information if the relative appears concerned
- C. Explain that information cannot be shared without consent
- D. Ask another nurse to provide the requested information
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to respect people's privacy and confidentiality.
Correct answer: Explain that information cannot be shared without consent- A. Sign it because the student reports completing the procedure
- B. Decline to sign and arrange direct assessment
- C. Sign it after asking another student for confirmation
- D. Delay the signature until the student completes more procedures
Explanation: A nurse must be honest about what they have assessed and work within their competence.
Correct answer: Decline to sign and arrange direct assessment- A. Accept it privately to avoid embarrassing the patient
- B. Accept it if the patient says it has little value
- C. Decline it politely and follow the local gifts policy
- D. Accept it and give it to a colleague later
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to maintain professional boundaries and uphold trust.
Correct answer: Decline it politely and follow the local gifts policy- A. Correct the label and take no further action
- B. Discard the specimen without informing anyone
- C. Report the near miss through the local process
- D. Wait to see whether the laboratory rejects it
Explanation: Near misses should be reported so risks can be investigated and systems improved, even when no harm occurs.
Correct answer: Report the near miss through the local process- A. Countersign because the other nurse is experienced
- B. Countersign after checking the cupboard balance
- C. Refuse to sign and report the concern appropriately
- D. Sign it later if the next count is accurate
Explanation: A nurse must make only records and declarations that are truthful and based on personal knowledge.
Correct answer: Refuse to sign and report the concern appropriately- A. Allow the task if the assistant is willing
- B. Complete the task or arrange suitable competent support
- C. Ask the assistant to watch an online demonstration
- D. Delegate the task to another untrained worker
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to delegate safely, confirm competence, and provide appropriate supervision.
Correct answer: Complete the task or arrange suitable competent support- A. Stop raising the concern to avoid conflict
- B. Discuss the issue informally with patients
- C. Escalate the concern using the organisation's procedure
- D. Post details of the concern on social media
Explanation: Nurses must act without delay when patient safety is at risk and use appropriate escalation routes when concerns are not addressed.
Correct answer: Escalate the concern using the organisation's procedure- A. Write the statement to support the patient's request
- B. Refuse and provide only accurate factual information
- C. Record the patient's preferred explanation as reported
- D. Ask a colleague to complete the statement instead
Explanation: The NMC Code requires honesty and integrity in professional communication and records.
Correct answer: Refuse and provide only accurate factual information- A. Ignore it because the discussion concerns patient care
- B. Remind the colleague to stop and move the discussion privately
- C. Join the discussion so the information is accurate
- D. Wait until the colleague finishes before raising the issue
Explanation: The NMC Code requires nurses to respect privacy and confidentiality. The nurse should promptly reduce the risk of disclosure by asking the…
Correct answer: Remind the colleague to stop and move the discussion privatelyThe NMC Code and Professional Accountability MCQs: common questions
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