Which of the following is NOT a blended competency of nursing?

• A. Cognitive
• B. Interpersonal
• C. Empathy
• D. Ethical/legal

Answer: (C)

Blended nursing competencies combine thinking, interacting, and applying professional standards. Cognitive covers knowledge and clinical reasoning, interpersonal covers communication and relationships with patients and teams, and ethical/legal covers professional duties and patient rights. Empathy is a vital trait that enhances care and connection, but it’s not typically listed as one of the blended categories in this framework. That’s why it doesn’t fit with the others in this grouping. Cognitive fits because it involves applying knowledge and reasoning; interpersonal fits because it centers on effective communication and relationships; ethical/legal fits because it reflects adherence to standards and laws.