Free NMC-CBT Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are caring for an 85-year-old man who appears unkempt, has lost weight, and whose son, his primary carer, seems dismissive of your concerns. What type of abuse should you be most alert to?
- Financial abuse
- Physical abuse
- Neglect (Correct answer)
- Psychological abuse
Correct answer: Neglect
Poor personal hygiene, unexplained weight loss, and an unkempt appearance are classic signs of neglect. This occurs when a carer fails to provide the necessary care, food, or medical attention for a vulnerable person.
Question 2: Which of the following is a core principle of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005?
- A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack capacity. (Correct answer)
- A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision because they make an unwise decision.
- Any act done for a person lacking capacity must be in their best interests.
- Decisions for someone lacking capacity should be the least restrictive of their rights and freedom.
Correct answer: A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack capacity.
The first principle of the MCA states that a person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack it. The burden of proof is on the person assessing capacity to show that the individual lacks it, not the other way around.
Question 3: A Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisation is required in which of the following situations?
- An adult with capacity agrees to stay in a care home for respite care.
- A patient is detained under the Mental Health Act.
- A patient with dementia who lacks capacity is continuously monitored and not allowed to leave the ward. (Correct answer)
- A child under 16 is admitted to a paediatric ward with their parents' consent.
Correct answer: A patient with dementia who lacks capacity is continuously monitored and not allowed to leave the ward.
DoLS applies when a person who lacks the mental capacity to consent to their care arrangements is under continuous supervision and control and is not free to leave the care setting. This constitutes a deprivation of liberty which must be legally authorised to be lawful.
Question 4: As a nurse, if you have a concern that a child may be at risk of harm or neglect, what is your immediate professional responsibility?
- Wait for more evidence before taking any action.
- Confront the parents directly with your suspicions.
- Document your concerns and discuss them with the designated safeguarding lead. (Correct answer)
- Only report the concern if the child discloses abuse to you directly.
Correct answer: Document your concerns and discuss them with the designated safeguarding lead.
Your professional duty is to act on any safeguarding concerns. This involves following your local safeguarding policy, which typically requires you to discuss your concerns with and report them to the designated safeguarding lead or children's social care.
Question 5: The term 'Gillick competence' refers to what concept in healthcare?
- The right of a parent to refuse treatment for their child.
- The ability of a child under 16 to consent to medical treatment if they have sufficient understanding. (Correct answer)
- The legal requirement to always obtain parental consent for patients under 18.
- The process for detaining a child under the Mental Health Act.
Correct answer: The ability of a child under 16 to consent to medical treatment if they have sufficient understanding.
Gillick competence is a legal principle that allows a child under 16 to consent to their own medical treatment, without parental consent, if they are deemed to have sufficient intelligence, maturity, and understanding to fully appreciate what is involved.
Question 6: An adult patient discloses to you that they are being physically abused at home. What is your most appropriate immediate response?
- Promise them you will keep it a secret.
- Listen, reassure them, and explain what you will do next to help. (Correct answer)
- Immediately call the police without further discussion.
- Ask them detailed questions to gather evidence for a report.
Correct answer: Listen, reassure them, and explain what you will do next to help.
The immediate priority is to listen without judgment, reassure the person that they were right to tell someone, and ensure their immediate safety. You should not promise to keep it a secret, as you have a duty to report this through the correct safeguarding channels.
Free NMC-CBT Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children Questions and Answers 1
You are caring for an 85-year-old man who appears unkempt, has lost weight, and whose son, his primary carer, seems dismissive of your concerns.
What type of abuse should you be most alert to?