UK Nursing Standards & NMC Code Flashcards
6 cards from real NMC OSCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 UK Nursing Standards & NMC Code flashcards as text
A nurse discovers that their colleague has falsified a patient's observation chart. Under the NMC Code, what is the nurse's obligation?
Answer: Report the concern to an appropriate person without delay
Falsifying records is a serious breach of the NMC Code. Nurses have a duty to report concerns about the conduct, performance, or health of a colleague if it places patients at risk, without delay.
Which of the following reflects the NMC's expectation regarding social media use by registered nurses?
Answer: Nurses must maintain patient confidentiality and professional standards online
The NMC provides specific guidance on social media, requiring nurses to maintain confidentiality, avoid sharing identifiable information, and uphold professional standards online. Poor social media conduct can lead to NMC fitness to practise proceedings.
Under the NMC Code, what must a nurse do before sharing patient information with another healthcare professional?
Answer: Share only on a need-to-know basis for direct care purposes
The NMC Code requires nurses to share information only on a need-to-know basis and only when it is in the best interests of the patient for their direct care. Sharing must comply with data protection legislation and the duty of confidentiality.
A nurse with a prescribing qualification wishes to prescribe a medication they have not prescribed before. What should they do?
Answer: Only prescribe within their individual clinical competence and seek supervision if needed
Nurse prescribers must only prescribe within their own competence, not just within a formulary or legal authority. If they are not competent in a particular area, they must seek supervision, further training, or refer to another prescriber.
According to the NMC Code, what does 'promote professionalism and trust' require?
Answer: Upholding NMC standards both inside and outside of work
The NMC Code's fourth domain requires nurses to uphold and promote the reputation of the profession both at work and in their personal lives. Conduct outside of work that undermines public trust can still result in fitness to practise proceedings.
A newly registered overseas nurse is asked to perform a clinical procedure they performed routinely in their home country but have not yet practised in the UK. What should they do?
Answer: Decline and ask for supervised practice opportunities first
Overseas-trained nurses must demonstrate competence within the UK healthcare context. They should not assume previous experience translates directly and should request supervised practice before performing a procedure independently in their new environment.