The NMC Code: Professionalism Flashcards
7 cards from real NMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 The NMC Code: Professionalism flashcards as text
Under the NMC Code, which situation would require a nurse to question their own fitness to practise?
Answer: Recognising that a physical or mental health condition is impairing their ability to provide safe care
The Code requires registrants to be honest about their own health and to take action — including stepping back from practice — if their condition could affect patient safety.
A student nurse under your supervision makes a clinical error. What does the NMC Code require of the supervising nurse?
Answer: The supervising registrant is accountable for the overall standard of supervision provided
The Code holds registered nurses accountable for the standard of supervision they provide; if inadequate supervision contributed to the error, the registrant carries professional accountability.
How does the NMC Code address the issue of conscientious objection to specific treatments?
Answer: Registrants may conscientiously object but must always tell people about care options and refer them to someone who can help
The Code permits conscientious objection in limited circumstances but requires the registrant to inform the patient of their options and ensure they can access care through referral.
A patient with capacity discloses information in confidence that suggests they intend to harm another person. Under the NMC Code, what should you do?
Answer: Breach confidentiality to prevent serious harm to a third party, following local policies
While confidentiality is a core professional duty, the Code recognises that preventing serious harm to others may justify and require disclosure even without patient consent.
The NMC Code requires registrants to 'act with honesty and integrity at all times.' Which scenario would most clearly violate this standard?
Answer: Omitting a medication error from a patient's records to avoid disciplinary action
Omitting an error from records is dishonest and potentially dangerous; the Code requires transparency about errors and actively prohibits falsification of records.
What does the NMC Code say about providing care to people you have a personal relationship with?
Answer: Registrants should avoid providing care to those they have personal relationships with whenever possible
The Code advises that providing care to those with whom you have personal relationships can compromise professional objectivity and boundaries, and should be avoided where possible.
A nurse is approached to provide an expert witness statement in a legal case. According to the NMC Code, what standard applies?
Answer: The Code's requirement for honesty and integrity applies to any statement made in a professional capacity
The Code's standards, including honesty and integrity, apply whenever a registrant acts in a professional capacity, including providing expert witness testimony.