Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

A patient has a new deep vein thrombosis and also says they feel lonely on the ward. Using Maslow’s hierarchy, which need comes first?

1. AThe need for self-actualization
2. BThe need for esteem and respect
3. CThe need for love and belonging during the hospital stay
4. DThe physiological need related to the thrombosis

All else being equal, which problem usually takes priority?

1. AA long-standing chronic problem, because it affects more of the patient’s life
2. BA new, acute problem
3. CThe problem that takes the least time to fix
4. DThe problem the family is most worried about

Which white blood cell count suggests an infection or inflammation?

1. A7,000/mm³ (7 × 10⁹/L)
2. B18,000/mm³ (18 × 10⁹/L)
3. C6,500/mm³ (6.5 × 10⁹/L)
4. D8,200/mm³ (8.2 × 10⁹/L)

On day 3 after hip surgery, a patient suddenly becomes short of breath with sharp chest pain and an SpO₂ of 88%. What should the nurse do first?

1. AGive the next dose of oral analgesia and reassess the patient in an hour
2. BRaise the head of the bed, give oxygen and call for urgent help
3. CEncourage the patient to walk to improve the circulation
4. DMassage the patient’s calves to ease any muscle cramp

A patient has a tonic-clonic seizure in bed. What should the nurse do first?

1. AHold the arms and legs down firmly to stop the jerking movements quickly
2. BGive a drink of water to help the patient wake
3. CPlace a tongue depressor between the teeth
4. DProtect the head and turn the patient on their side when possible

A drowsy patient has an arterial blood gas with pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 58 mmHg (7.7 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 25 mEq/L (mmol/L). Which problem is the priority?

1. APoor ventilation causing carbon dioxide to build up
2. BHyperventilation caused by anxiety
3. CLoss of bicarbonate from the bowel through severe diarrhea
4. DToo much bicarbonate from antacids

During birth, the baby’s head delivers but the shoulders do not follow. What should the nurse do first?

1. APush firmly on the top of the uterus (fundal pressure)
2. BPull hard on the baby’s head and neck to free the trapped shoulders quickly
3. CHelp with the McRoberts position and give suprapubic pressure as directed
4. DAsk the mother to stop pushing and wait an hour

A patient with known abdominal aortic aneurysm suddenly has severe back pain, a pulsing mass in the abdomen and a falling blood pressure. What should the nurse do?

1. ACall for emergency help at once and prepare for urgent surgery
2. BEncourage the patient to walk to ease the back pain
3. CGive an oral analgesic and reassess the patient in about one hour
4. DPalpate the mass firmly to check its size and spread