NMC OSCE UK Nursing Standards & NMC Code 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What minimum number of practice hours must a nurse complete for NMC revalidation every three years?
- 250 hours
- 350 hours
- 450 hours (Correct answer)
- 500 hours
Correct answer: 450 hours
NMC revalidation requires nurses to complete a minimum of 450 practice hours over the three-year revalidation period (or 900 hours for those registering as both a nurse and midwife).
Question 2: Under the NMC Code's principle 'Preserve safety', what must a nurse do if they are concerned about a colleague's conduct?
- Ignore it unless it affects them personally
- Raise concerns immediately through appropriate channels (Correct answer)
- Wait and monitor to gather more evidence
- Only act if a patient complains
Correct answer: Raise concerns immediately through appropriate channels
The NMC Code requires nurses to raise concerns immediately if they believe someone in their care may be at risk of harm. Concerns about a colleague's conduct that poses a risk to patients must be reported.
Question 3: How many CPD hours must a nurse complete for NMC revalidation every three years?
- 10 hours
- 20 hours
- 35 hours (Correct answer)
- 50 hours
Correct answer: 35 hours
NMC revalidation requires a minimum of 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) in the three-year period, of which at least 20 hours must be participatory learning.
Question 4: According to the NMC Code, what does 'preserving safety' require in relation to prescribing?
- Only prescribing within legal frameworks and your competence (Correct answer)
- Always consulting a doctor before issuing any prescription
- Never prescribing controlled drugs under any circumstances
- Following patient preference regardless of clinical guidelines
Correct answer: Only prescribing within legal frameworks and your competence
The NMC Code requires nurses who prescribe to only do so within the limits of their competence and the legal frameworks that apply. Nurse prescribers must remain up to date with legislation and evidence.
Question 5: The NMC Code requires nurses to 'practise effectively'. Which action best reflects this principle?
- Working additional shifts to cover staffing gaps
- Completing mandatory training and keeping knowledge up to date (Correct answer)
- Following instructions from senior staff without questioning
- Focusing on administrative tasks to free up clinical time
Correct answer: Completing mandatory training and keeping knowledge up to date
Practising effectively under the NMC Code means keeping knowledge and skills up to date, completing relevant training, and basing practice on best available evidence. It is about professional competence, not organisational contribution.
Question 6: What is meant by the term 'accountable' in the context of the NMC Code?
- Being responsible only to the organisation that employs you
- Being able to justify your decisions and actions to patients, employers, and the NMC (Correct answer)
- Only being accountable when a formal complaint is made
- Accountability applies only to qualified nurses, not student nurses
Correct answer: Being able to justify your decisions and actions to patients, employers, and the NMC
Accountability in nursing means being able to justify your actions and omissions to patients, the public, your employer, and the NMC. Registered nurses are professionally accountable for their own practice at all times.
NMC OSCE UK Nursing Standards & NMC Code 2
What minimum number of practice hours must a nurse complete for NMC revalidation every three years?