Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which patient problem would a nurse usually address first?

1. ALow self-esteem
2. BImpaired gas exchange
3. CSocial isolation
4. DRisk for falls at night

What does the START in START triage stand for?

1. ASimple Triage And Rapid Treatment
2. BStandard Treatment And Referral Tool
3. CStaged Triage And Resuscitation Team
4. DSystematic Transfer And Rapid Transport

A nurse is worried about a patient’s worsening condition, and the provider does not respond to the concern. Following the chain of command, whom does the nurse usually contact next?

1. AThe patient’s next of kin
2. BThe pharmacy technician on duty that day
3. CThe hospital’s chief executive
4. DThe charge nurse or nursing supervisor

A nurse delegates the measurement of blood glucose to a trained assistant but never asks for the result. Which right of delegation is missing?

1. ARight person for the task
2. BRight supervision and evaluation
3. CRight task for the setting
4. DRight circumstance

A patient reports pain of 8/10. Before giving the prescribed as-needed analgesic, what does the nurse do first?

1. ATell the patient to wait until the next scheduled dose is due in two hours
2. BAsk the nursing assistant to reposition the patient
3. CGive the strongest analgesic on the chart straight away
4. DAssess the location, character and onset of the pain and the vital signs

A nursing assistant refuses a delegated task, saying they have not been trained to do it. What is the best response from the nurse?

1. ATell the assistant it is in the job description and must be done
2. BThank the assistant, make sure the task is done safely and arrange training
3. CReport the assistant to the manager for refusing a task
4. DLeave the task for the next shift, when someone trained is on

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

A patient has full-thickness burns all the way around the chest and is finding it harder to breathe, although the airway is clear. What does this suggest?

1. AThe patient has had too little IV fluid and needs a fast bolus to improve the breathing
2. BThe tight burned skin is restricting chest movement, so an escharotomy may be needed
3. CThe burns are healing and the skin is tightening normally
4. DThe patient is anxious and only needs reassurance