NMC - Nursing Midwifery Council Person-Centred Care Planning Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with newly diagnosed heart failure is overwhelmed by the amount of information given. To apply a person-centred approach to their care planning, what is the nurse's most appropriate initial action?

Accepted Answer

Ask the patient, 'Of all the things we've discussed, what feels most important to you right now?' and start planning from there.

Answer

Person-centred care planning begins by identifying the individual's own priorities, values, and concerns. Asking what is most important to the patient respects their perspective and empowers them to engage in the planning process, making it a true partnership as required by the NMC Code. This approach allows the nurse to tailor subsequent information and planning to the patient's immediate needs, reducing their feeling of being overwhelmed.

Question 2

Which of the following statements best describes the nature of a person-centred care plan according to NMC principles?

Accepted Answer

It is a 'living document' that is regularly reviewed and updated in partnership with the individual.

Answer

The NMC expects care plans to be dynamic and responsive to a person's changing needs, preferences, and goals. It is an ongoing process of collaboration, not a one-time event. Regular reviews with the patient are essential to ensure the plan remains relevant and effective, truly reflecting the 'person-centred' approach.

Question 3

A nurse is planning care for a patient who has been assessed as lacking the mental capacity to make decisions about their treatment. To adhere to person-centred principles and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the nurse must:

Accepted Answer

Act in the patient's 'best interests', considering their previously expressed wishes and involving those close to them.

Answer

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) requires that any action taken for a person who lacks capacity must be in their 'best interests'. This is a key principle that involves a holistic assessment, including considering the person's past and present wishes, consulting with family and carers, and weighing all relevant circumstances. This ensures the person remains at the centre of the decision-making process, even when they cannot consent themselves.

Question 4

A nurse is caring for an older adult who repeatedly states, 'I just want to be able to tend to my garden again.' In the context of person-centred care planning, how should the nurse primarily interpret this statement?

Accepted Answer

As a key personal goal that should inform the objectives of the care plan, such as improving mobility and managing fatigue.

Answer

Person-centred care planning is about understanding what is truly important to the individual beyond their clinical diagnosis. This statement represents a meaningful personal goal. The nurse should use this as a central point around which to plan care, setting clinical objectives (e.g., physiotherapy for mobility, energy conservation techniques) that directly contribute to achieving what matters most to the patient.

Question 5

To facilitate effective person-centred care planning with a patient who is deaf and communicates using British Sign Language (BSL), what is the most appropriate action for a nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Arrange for a qualified and impartial BSL interpreter to be present.

Answer

The NMC Code requires nurses to communicate clearly and ensure people receive information in a way they can understand. For a BSL user, written notes may not be appropriate as BSL has a different grammatical structure to English. Using family can compromise confidentiality and accuracy. The gold standard is to use a professional, impartial interpreter to ensure accurate and effective communication, enabling the patient to fully participate in their care planning.

(NMC) Nursing Midwifery Council Practice Test

(NMC) Nursing Midwifery Council Practice Test

NMC - Nursing Midwifery Council Person-Centred Care Planning Questions and Answers