CNO - College of Nurses of Ontario Professional Responsibility and Accountability Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the CNO's Code of Conduct, what is the primary accountability of a nurse when they identify a conflict between their personal beliefs and a client's care plan?
- To transfer care of the client to another nurse immediately.
- To inform the client about the personal conflict and offer alternative care options.
- To provide safe, compassionate, and timely care until other arrangements are made. (Correct answer)
- To document the conflict in the client's chart and seek guidance from the ethics committee.
Correct answer: To provide safe, compassionate, and timely care until other arrangements are made.
The CNO's Code of Conduct stipulates that nurses must prioritize the client's well-being. If a personal belief conflicts with the client's care plan, the nurse's immediate responsibility is to continue providing safe and compassionate care to ensure there is no gap in service or harm to the client, while arrangements for an alternative caregiver are established.
Question 2: A nurse notices a colleague consistently failing to perform required safety checks before administering high-risk medications. The nurse has informally spoken to the colleague, but the behaviour continues. What is the nurse's most appropriate next step to demonstrate professional accountability?
- Continue monitoring the colleague and documenting their errors for a future report.
- Report the colleague's behaviour to the nursing unit manager or appropriate authority. (Correct answer)
- Confront the colleague again in the presence of another nurse.
- Anonymously report the issue to the CNO's professional conduct department.
Correct answer: Report the colleague's behaviour to the nursing unit manager or appropriate authority.
Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to take action when they witness unsafe practice that could jeopardize client safety. After an initial attempt to address the issue directly with the colleague has failed, the nurse is accountable for escalating the concern to the appropriate authority, such as the nurse manager, to ensure client safety is protected through formal channels.
Question 3: Which of the following is a mandatory component of the CNO's Quality Assurance (QA) Program for all nurses in the General and Extended classes?
- Attending a minimum of two professional development workshops annually.
- Completing a peer performance review with a colleague each year.
- Submitting a portfolio of clinical exemplars for review by the CNO.
- Engaging in practice reflection and developing a Learning Plan annually. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Engaging in practice reflection and developing a Learning Plan annually.
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, requires the CNO to have a QA Program. A core requirement for all members in the General and Extended classes is to perform a self-assessment, which includes reflecting on their practice and developing a Learning Plan each year to maintain and enhance their competence.
Question 4: A client offers a nurse a significant monetary gift as a thank-you for excellent care. To maintain professional boundaries as outlined by the CNO, what is the nurse's most appropriate action?
- Accept the gift but donate it to a charity on behalf of the unit.
- Politely decline the gift, explaining the professional boundary guidelines. (Correct answer)
- Accept the gift, as declining could harm the nurse-client relationship.
- Suggest the client make a donation to the hospital's foundation instead.
Correct answer: Politely decline the gift, explaining the professional boundary guidelines.
The CNO's 'Professional Boundaries and Nurse-Client Relationships' standard requires nurses to maintain boundaries to protect the therapeutic relationship. Accepting gifts can blur these lines and create a perceived or actual conflict of interest. The most professional response is to graciously refuse the gift and explain that their good care is part of their professional role and they cannot accept personal gifts.
Question 5: A nurse is struggling with a personal health issue that they fear may be affecting their ability to practice safely. According to the CNO's professional standards, the nurse's primary responsibility is to:
- Request a less demanding assignment from their manager without disclosing the reason.
- Continue working while being extra cautious about their practice.
- Self-reflect on their health and seek help if their health affects their ability to practice safely. (Correct answer)
- Take a temporary leave of absence and only self-report to the CNO if a practice error occurs.
Correct answer: Self-reflect on their health and seek help if their health affects their ability to practice safely.
The CNO's Code of Conduct explicitly states that nurses are accountable for their own fitness to practice. This includes self-reflecting on their health and seeking assistance if a health condition could impair their ability to provide safe care. This proactive approach is essential for protecting the public.
Question 6: Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, when is a nurse legally required to self-report to the CNO?
- When they are named in a civil lawsuit, regardless of the reason.
- Within 30 days of being charged with any offence. (Correct answer)
- Only after being found guilty of a criminal offence.
- When their employment is terminated for any reason.
Correct answer: Within 30 days of being charged with any offence.
The CNO requires nurses to self-report specific information to maintain public trust and safety. A nurse must self-report if they have been charged with any offence, found guilty of an offence, have a finding of professional negligence, or a finding of misconduct in another profession. This report must be made as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days from the event.
CNO - College of Nurses of Ontario Professional Responsibility and Accountability Questions and Answers
According to the CNO's Code of Conduct, what is the primary accountability of a nurse when they identify a conflict between their personal beliefs and a client's care plan?