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

Which task should the registered nurse not delegate to a nursing assistant?

  1. AGiving a bed bath to a stable patient
  2. BMaking an occupied bed
  3. CWalking a stable patient up and down the corridor after lunch
  4. DEvaluating whether the patient understood discharge teaching
2.Easy

What is the usual adult reference range for serum potassium?

  1. AAbout 1.5–2.5 mEq/L
  2. BAbout 135–145 mEq/L
  3. CAbout 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  4. DAbout 6.0–8.0 mEq/L
3.Easy

In the AVPU scale, what does the P mean?

  1. AResponds only to pain
  2. BPulse present and regular
  3. CPain score below 5
  4. DPupils equal and reactive
4.Medium

Which patient should the RN see first after receiving a report from the night nurse?

  1. ADay 4 after bowel surgery, waiting for discharge teaching
  2. BDay 1 after bowel surgery, new chest pain and heart rate 110/min
  3. CDay 3 after bowel surgery, wants a shower and hair wash before breakfast
  4. DDay 2 after bowel surgery, asking to start a soft diet
5.Medium

A nurse teaches a patient about levothyroxine. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A“I will keep taking it even when I feel well.”
  2. B“I will take it on an empty stomach with a glass of water.”
  3. C“I will take it at breakfast with my calcium tablet.”
  4. D“I will take it at the same time each morning.”
6.Medium

Which patient on an addiction unit should the nurse see first?

  1. ALast drink this morning; asking when lunch will arrive
  2. BIn recovery for a year; came to the clinic today for a routine check and a repeat prescription
  3. CLast drink one week ago; asking about support groups
  4. DLast drink two days ago; now shaking, sweating, heart rate 124/min and seeing insects
7.Hard

An older adult with type 2 diabetes is confused and very dehydrated. The glucose is 900 mg/dL (50 mmol/L), and blood and urine show no significant ketones. What is the most likely problem?

  1. AHyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
  2. BHypoglycemia with rebound
  3. CDiabetic ketoacidosis
  4. DStress-induced mild hyperglycemia
8.Hard

On a cardiac step-down unit, which patient should the nurse assess first?

  1. ASix hours after a coronary stent, new chest pain with ST elevation on the monitor
  2. BDay 2 after a pacemaker insertion, asking when the wound dressing will be changed
  3. CHeart failure, weight up 0.5 kg since yesterday, no breathlessness at rest
  4. DAtrial fibrillation on warfarin with an INR of 2.6 this morning

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Evaluating whether the patient understood discharge teaching
  2. 2. C · About 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  3. 3. A · Responds only to pain
  4. 4. B · Day 1 after bowel surgery, new chest pain and heart rate 110/min
  5. 5. C · “I will take it at breakfast with my calcium tablet.”
  6. 6. D · Last drink two days ago; now shaking, sweating, heart rate 124/min and seeing insects
  7. 7. A · Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
  8. 8. A · Six hours after a coronary stent, new chest pain with ST elevation on the monitor

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