Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

Which adult blood glucose result needs treatment straight away?

1. A110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L) after a snack
2. B98 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L) before breakfast
3. C130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) two hours after a large lunch
4. D52 mg/dL (2.9 mmol/L) with sweating and shakiness

In the ABC framework, which problem is a circulation problem?

1. AAnxiety
2. BUncontrolled bleeding
3. CStridor
4. DA respiratory rate of 32/min

Which phrase in a question usually signals a priority question?

1. A“Which statement describes this drug’s class?”
2. B“Which bone is found in the forearm?”
3. C“Which term means inflammation of the liver?”
4. D“Which action should the nurse take first?”

Four hours after thyroid surgery, which patient finding should the nurse act on first?

1. AA voice that is getting hoarser, with new noisy breathing
2. BPain at the incision of 4/10
3. CA request to sit up to drink
4. DA small amount of serous drainage visible on the neck dressing

A pregnant nurse is on the unit. Which patient should the charge nurse avoid assigning to her?

1. AA patient after a hip replacement
2. BA patient with type 2 diabetes who needs insulin teaching before discharge
3. CA patient with a fractured wrist
4. DA patient with a sealed radioactive implant for cervical cancer

A patient taking clozapine reports a sore throat and fever. What is the priority action?

1. AHold the dose and report so the white cell count can be checked
2. BAdvise the patient to gargle with warm salt water and rest in bed
3. CIncrease the dose because the symptoms suggest a relapse
4. DOffer throat lozenges and continue the usual dose

A nurse returns to the station to find four messages. Which one is answered first?

1. AA colleague asks to swap shifts with them next week because of a family wedding
2. BA family member wants an update on their father’s progress
3. CThe laboratory is calling with a critical potassium result of 2.6 mEq/L
4. DThe pharmacy asks when the next delivery should be scheduled

After a cervical spinal cord injury, a patient has a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg, a heart rate of 48/min and warm, dry skin. What is most likely?

1. ANeurogenic shock
2. BSeptic shock
3. CCardiac tamponade
4. DHypovolemic shock