Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

Which task is appropriate to delegate to a nursing assistant for an immobile but stable patient?

1. ADeciding whether a pressure injury has got worse since yesterday
2. BTurning and repositioning the patient every 2 hours
3. CChoosing which wound dressing to use
4. DPlanning the patient’s skin care

Which finding in an infant is a sign of breathing difficulty?

1. ANasal flaring
2. BA strong cry
3. CPink, warm hands and feet
4. DWet diapers every few hours

A medication error has just reached a patient. What is the nurse’s first action?

1. ATell the nurse manager at the end of the shift
2. BComplete an incident report before doing anything else
3. CAssess the patient for any effects of the error
4. DCorrect the entry on the medication record

A nurse sees a nursing assistant leave a confused patient’s bed in the highest position after care. What should the nurse do?

1. ALower the bed now and remind the assistant why it matters
2. BLeave it because the patient is asleep
3. CAsk the family to lower the bed when they next visit
4. DWrite it in the assistant’s yearly review only

An older patient who has been constipated for days now has small amounts of liquid stool leaking. What should the nurse suspect?

1. AFecal impaction with liquid stool passing around it
2. BA new bowel infection that has caused the diarrhea
3. CThe constipation has fully resolved
4. DA side effect of drinking too much water

Which patient should the nurse see first?

1. AA patient with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis and the usual morning joint stiffness
2. BA patient with new slurred speech and a facial droop that started 30 minutes ago
3. CA patient with chronic kidney disease due for dialysis tomorrow
4. DA patient with type 2 diabetes asking about the diet

Which patient is the most appropriate to assign to an LPN/LVN?

1. AA patient with a tracheostomy placed this morning who is coughing up blood
2. BA patient on a new IV medication that needs frequent titration
3. CA patient with a long-standing tracheostomy who needs routine suctioning and care
4. DA patient who has just arrived from the emergency department with pneumonia and confusion

At 08:00 a nurse has four tasks. Which order is best?

1. ACheck the patient with a falling SpO₂, give insulin with breakfast, give routine medications, update care plans
2. BGive insulin with breakfast, update care plans, check the patient with a falling SpO₂, give routine medications
3. CUpdate care plans, give insulin with breakfast, give routine medications, check the patient with a falling SpO₂
4. DGive routine medications, check the patient with a falling SpO₂, update care plans, give insulin with breakfast