The ethical principle which states that the individuals are answerable for their action and have the obligation to act is:

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Accountability is the ethical principle that means being answerable for one's own actions.
It involves accepting responsibility for the outcomes of professional actions, decisions, and omissions.
This principle ensures that professional actions can be explained and justified to patients, employers, and regulatory bodies.
For example, a nurse is accountable for administering the correct medication and for the consequences of any medication error.

Option B: Responsibility refers to the specific duties or tasks a person is expected to perform. It is the 'what' of the job, whereas accountability is being answerable for the 'how well' and the outcome.
Option C: Fidelity is about being faithful to promises and agreements. It involves loyalty and keeping one's word to patients, such as returning when you say you will.
Option D: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness. It obligates healthcare professionals to be honest with patients and not deceive them.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Ethical Principles in Nursing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accountability is a cornerstone of patient safety. When nurses are accountable, they are more likely to follow standards of practice, double-check procedures, and prevent errors.
In clinical practice, accountability means documenting care accurately, reporting incidents or near-misses, and taking ownership of professional development to maintain competence.
What if? - If a nurse delegates a task (e.g., taking vital signs) to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the UAP is responsible for performing the task correctly, but the registered nurse remains accountable for the overall assessment, interpretation of the vital signs, and the patient's outcome.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question stem: 'answerable for their action'.
Next, analyze the provided options, which are all ethical principles.
Recall the specific definition of each principle. Differentiate between closely related terms like 'accountability' and 'responsibility'.
Accountability specifically means being 'answerable' or 'liable' for one's actions and their outcomes.
Responsibility is the obligation to perform a duty.
Match the key phrase 'answerable for their action' to its precise definition, which is accountability.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Ethical Principles in Nursing
Stem keywords: ethical principle, answerable for their action, obligation to act
Lead-in keywords: is
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 pp. 82-84, 70-72

E6 Nursing Vital Signs p. 15-17

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.