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

What is the usual adult reference range for serum potassium?

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

An adult arrives at the emergency department with chest pain. Which test should be done within about 10 minutes of arrival?

  1. AAn exercise stress test
  2. BA lipid profile
  3. CA 12-lead ECG
  4. DA chest CT scan
3.Easy

Which teaching activity belongs to the registered nurse rather than the LPN/LVN?

  1. AReminding a patient to use the incentive spirometer hourly
  2. BReinforcing teaching the RN has already given
  3. CFirst teaching about a new diagnosis and its treatment
  4. DHanding out a leaflet the RN has already explained
4.Medium

A patient’s chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system. What should the nurse do first?

  1. AWait for the provider to arrive before doing anything else
  2. BRemove the tube and cover the site
  3. CPlace the end of the tube in a bottle of sterile water
  4. DClamp the tube for the rest of the shift
5.Medium

A child with fever and headache develops a purple rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass. What should the nurse do?

  1. AGive acetaminophen (paracetamol) and reassess in four hours
  2. BTreat it as an emergency and escalate at once
  3. CApply a soothing cream to the rash
  4. DAdvise the family to see their doctor next week
6.Medium

Which action by a nursing assistant needs the nurse to step in?

  1. ACleaning hands before entering the room
  2. BPutting the call light within the patient’s reach
  3. CTaking an oral temperature just after the patient drank cold water
  4. DLowering the bed to its lowest position and locking the wheels after care
7.Hard

A patient with an upper GI bleed has a heart rate of 128/min and a blood pressure of 84/50 mmHg. All of these are prescribed. Which does the nurse start first?

  1. AIV fluid or blood through large-bore cannulas
  2. BOral iron tablets
  3. CAn IV proton pump inhibitor infusion
  4. DBooking the diagnostic endoscopy for the next morning
8.Hard

A patient arrives one hour after the start of stroke symptoms. Which step must happen before a thrombolytic drug can be given?

  1. AA full lipid profile to check cholesterol
  2. BA brain scan to rule out bleeding
  3. CAn echocardiogram to look for clots
  4. DA swallow test with a cup of water

Answer key

  1. 1. C · About 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  2. 2. C · A 12-lead ECG
  3. 3. C · First teaching about a new diagnosis and its treatment
  4. 4. C · Place the end of the tube in a bottle of sterile water
  5. 5. B · Treat it as an emergency and escalate at once
  6. 6. C · Taking an oral temperature just after the patient drank cold water
  7. 7. A · IV fluid or blood through large-bore cannulas
  8. 8. B · A brain scan to rule out bleeding

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