Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

Free printable Prioritization & delegation worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

A patient’s platelet count is 18,000/mm³ (18 × 10⁹/L). Which risk is the nursing priority?

  1. AInfection
  2. BFluid overload
  3. CBleeding
  4. DBlood clots
2.Easy

Which patient needs a single room with airborne precautions?

  1. AA patient with a fractured femur
  2. BA patient with type 2 diabetes
  3. CA patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis
  4. DA patient with a urinary tract infection and a catheter
3.Easy

In US patient-safety terms (The Joint Commission), what is a sentinel event?

  1. AA routine handover between shifts
  2. BA planned admission to intensive care
  3. CA minor error that was noticed but caused no harm at all
  4. DAn unexpected event that causes death or serious harm
4.Medium

Which scheduled medication is the most time-critical?

  1. ARapid-acting insulin due with a breakfast tray that has arrived
  2. BA daily cholesterol-lowering statin tablet due with breakfast at 08:00
  3. CA daily stool softener due with breakfast
  4. DA daily multivitamin tablet due at 08:00
5.Medium

A patient with a head injury is being monitored. Which set of findings suggests rising intracranial pressure?

  1. AFalling blood pressure, a fast pulse and warm, flushed dry skin
  2. BRising systolic pressure, slow pulse and irregular breathing
  3. CLow temperature, fast breathing and a strong appetite
  4. DNormal blood pressure, normal pulse and clear speech
6.Medium

Which telephone call should a clinic nurse return first?

  1. AA parent of a 5-year-old with a runny nose for two days
  2. BA parent of a 6-week-old with a temperature of 38.3 °C
  3. CAn adult asking for a repeat prescription for a statin
  4. DAn adult who wants to move a routine blood test appointment
7.Hard

During surgery under general anesthesia, a patient develops rising end-tidal carbon dioxide, muscle rigidity and a rapidly increasing temperature. Which drug should the nurse anticipate?

  1. AFlumazenil
  2. BAtropine
  3. CDantrolene
  4. DNaloxone
8.Hard

Four patients arrive at the emergency department at the same time. Who should be seen first?

  1. AAn older adult with weakness on one side that began 40 minutes ago
  2. BA child with a temperature of 39 °C who is alert and drinking
  3. CAn adult with kidney stone pain of 9/10 and stable vital signs
  4. DA young adult with a swollen, painful ankle after a fall on the stairs

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Bleeding
  2. 2. C · A patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis
  3. 3. D · An unexpected event that causes death or serious harm
  4. 4. A · Rapid-acting insulin due with a breakfast tray that has arrived
  5. 5. B · Rising systolic pressure, slow pulse and irregular breathing
  6. 6. B · A parent of a 6-week-old with a temperature of 38.3 °C
  7. 7. C · Dantrolene
  8. 8. A · An older adult with weakness on one side that began 40 minutes ago

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