A nurse who is liable for her course of action is termed as?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2017

Explanation

Accountability is the correct term as it directly relates to being answerable and legally liable for one's actions and their consequences.
In a legal and ethical context, accountability means that a nurse must be able to explain and justify their decisions and actions to patients, employers, and the professional regulatory body (e.g., the Nursing and Midwifery Council).
This concept encompasses the professional, ethical, and legal duties of a nurse, including the obligation to accept the consequences of one's own behavior.

Option A: Responsibility refers to the obligation to perform a task or duty. While a nurse is responsible for many tasks, accountability is the broader concept of being answerable for the results of those tasks.
Option B: Competence is about having the necessary skills and knowledge to perform a task. While a nurse must be competent to be accountable, competence itself does not mean being liable; it is a prerequisite for safe practice.
Option D: Autonomy is the freedom to make independent judgments and decisions within one's scope of practice. While nurses have autonomy, they are accountable for the decisions they make with that freedom.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Professional and Legal Concepts in Nursing helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Accountability is the cornerstone of patient safety. An accountable nurse will report errors, near misses, and unsafe conditions, which allows for system-wide improvements.
Thorough and accurate documentation is a key way nurses demonstrate accountability. The medical record is a legal document that shows the care provided and the nurse's justification for their actions.
What if a nurse delegates a blood pressure check to an assistant who reports a normal value, but the patient later has a crisis due to severe hypotension? The nurse remains accountable for the outcome because they are responsible for critically evaluating the reported data in the context of the whole patient, not just accepting the number at face value.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'liable'.
Recognize that 'liable' is a legal term meaning 'legally responsible' or 'answerable'.
Evaluate the options provided. These are all core professional concepts in nursing.
Match the keyword 'liable' to the definition of each option. Accountability is defined as being answerable for one's actions and their outcomes.
Differentiate accountability from responsibility (the task), competence (the skill), and autonomy (the freedom to act) to confirm the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Vital Signs p. 15-17

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 70-72

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