Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) CBT Practice Test

The correct definition of professional accountability according to the NMC centers on the individual's responsibility for their actions and judgments in practice. This concept emphasizes that nurses are not only accountable for the care they provide but also for the decisions they make and the ethical implications of their work. Professional accountability involves adhering to the standards of nursing practice, maintaining the trust of the public, and ensuring patient safety. It means being accountable for the outcomes of those decisions, reflecting on one's practice, and engaging in continuous professional development to improve competency and practice standards.

This understanding of professional accountability is integral in nursing as it ensures that nurses act in the best interest of their patients, uphold professional standards, and remain transparent about their actions within a professional framework. Other definitions, such as those related to education, patient complaints, or administrative duties, do not encompass the holistic responsibility that professional accountability entails, which is critical in clinical nursing practice.