NCNZ Professional Accountability 2 โ Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse practitioner (NP) in NZ is authorised to perform which activities not available to a registered nurse?
- Prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and diagnose conditions within their scope of practice (Correct answer)
- Administer all medications without restriction
- Supervise all RNs in a hospital
- Perform major surgical procedures independently
Correct answer: Prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and diagnose conditions within their scope of practice
Nurse practitioners have an extended scope authorised by the Nursing Council, including prescribing authority (within their prescribing scope), ordering investigations, and diagnosing and managing conditions โ activities not available to RNs.
Question 2: Which of the following actions could result in a nurse's APC being suspended or cancelled by the NCNZ?
- Conviction for a relevant criminal offence or a finding of serious professional misconduct (Correct answer)
- Missing a continuing education session
- Taking sick leave
- Requesting a scope of practice change
Correct answer: Conviction for a relevant criminal offence or a finding of serious professional misconduct
The NCNZ can suspend or cancel registration for: criminal convictions relevant to fitness to practise, serious professional misconduct, health conditions affecting safe practice, or a finding by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Question 3: A nurse is asked by their manager to work in an unfamiliar specialty due to short staffing. What should the nurse do?
- Communicate their level of competence honestly, accept only if adequate supervision can be provided, and document the situation (Correct answer)
- Accept without question to be a team player
- Refuse outright and leave the unit understaffed
- Practise as if fully competent to avoid appearing inadequate
Correct answer: Communicate their level of competence honestly, accept only if adequate supervision can be provided, and document the situation
Nurses must practise within their competence. If required to work outside their usual area, honest communication, seeking appropriate supervision, and documenting the circumstances are required. Pretending to be competent when not is unsafe and a breach of professional standards.
Question 4: What is the role of a 'preceptor' in NZ nursing?
- An experienced nurse who provides structured guidance, support, and feedback to a newly registered nurse or new staff member (Correct answer)
- A nurse who reviews and approves all medication administration
- The nurse in charge of the ward for a given shift
- A nurse educator based exclusively in a tertiary institution
Correct answer: An experienced nurse who provides structured guidance, support, and feedback to a newly registered nurse or new staff member
Preceptorship is a structured support programme where an experienced nurse provides mentoring, role modelling, and feedback to a new graduate or new staff nurse, supporting the transition to competent independent practice.
Question 5: Which of the following scenarios represents a breach of professional boundaries in nursing?
- Accepting expensive gifts from a patient and developing a personal friendship outside the clinical relationship (Correct answer)
- Calling a patient by their preferred name
- Involving whฤnau in discharge planning with the patient's consent
- Providing emotional support during a distressing procedure
Correct answer: Accepting expensive gifts from a patient and developing a personal friendship outside the clinical relationship
Professional boundaries define the therapeutic relationship. Accepting expensive gifts, developing personal relationships with patients outside clinical care, or engaging in dual relationships (nurse and friend/business partner) constitutes a breach and compromises objectivity and patient safety.
Question 6: Under the NCNZ Code of Conduct, what is the obligation of a nurse who identifies that their own health condition may affect safe practice?
- Seek appropriate health care, modify their practice as needed, and notify their employer or the Nursing Council if required (Correct answer)
- Continue practising normally and disclose only if asked
- Resign immediately without seeking assessment
- Self-medicate and return to full duties as soon as possible
Correct answer: Seek appropriate health care, modify their practice as needed, and notify their employer or the Nursing Council if required
Nurses have a professional obligation to seek treatment for health conditions that may affect practice, to implement reasonable adjustments, and to notify the relevant parties (employer or NCNZ) if the condition poses a risk to patient safety.
NCNZ Professional Accountability 2
A nurse practitioner (NP) in NZ is authorised to perform which activities not available to a registered nurse?