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

For a patient who does not take an anticoagulant, which INR is normal?

  1. A2.5
  2. B6.0
  3. C1.0
  4. D4.0
2.Easy

Which fasting blood glucose value is normal for an adult without diabetes?

  1. A145 mg/dL (8.0 mmol/L)
  2. B85 mg/dL (4.7 mmol/L)
  3. C210 mg/dL (11.7 mmol/L)
  4. D55 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L)
3.Easy

What does a “STAT” order mean?

  1. ACarry it out at the next routine round
  2. BCarry it out immediately
  3. CCarry it out only if the patient asks for it
  4. DCarry it out within the next 24 hours
4.Medium

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

  1. ALow temperature, fast breathing and a strong appetite
  2. BFalling blood pressure, a fast pulse and warm, flushed dry skin
  3. CNormal blood pressure, normal pulse and clear speech
  4. DRising systolic pressure, slow pulse and irregular breathing
5.Medium

On the first day after abdominal surgery, a patient has a temperature of 37.9 °C and reduced breath sounds at the lung bases. Which nursing action is most helpful?

  1. ARestrict oral fluids so that the lungs do not fill up with extra fluid
  2. BEncourage deep breathing, coughing and use of the incentive spirometer
  3. CKeep the patient lying flat in bed to rest the incision fully
  4. DGive a cough suppressant so that the incision is not strained
6.Medium

Two hours after birth, the nurse finds the uterus firm but above the umbilicus and pushed to the right. What should the nurse do first?

  1. AAsk the patient to lie still for another hour
  2. BHelp the patient empty her bladder
  3. CGive a dose of oxytocin straight away
  4. DMassage the uterus firmly for ten minutes
7.Hard

A nurse sees a colleague put a vial of an opioid into their own pocket instead of returning it. What should the nurse do?

  1. AAsk the colleague to share the vial with them
  2. BTell the patients to watch the colleague carefully
  3. CReport it to the nurse manager according to policy
  4. DSay nothing, because it is not their business
8.Hard

An RN sees an LPN/LVN crushing an extended-release metoprolol tablet to mix with applesauce. What should the RN do?

  1. AReport the LPN/LVN at the end of the month without saying anything now
  2. BLet the LPN/LVN continue, since crushing makes the tablet easier to swallow
  3. CStop the LPN/LVN and contact the prescriber or pharmacist about another form
  4. DTell the LPN/LVN to give half of the crushed tablet now and the other half at lunchtime

Answer key

  1. 1. C · 1.0
  2. 2. B · 85 mg/dL (4.7 mmol/L)
  3. 3. B · Carry it out immediately
  4. 4. D · Rising systolic pressure, slow pulse and irregular breathing
  5. 5. B · Encourage deep breathing, coughing and use of the incentive spirometer
  6. 6. B · Help the patient empty her bladder
  7. 7. C · Report it to the nurse manager according to policy
  8. 8. C · Stop the LPN/LVN and contact the prescriber or pharmacist about another form

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