Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

In a three-level triage system, what does “urgent” mean?

1. ALife-threatening and needs care immediately
2. BAlready deceased on arrival
3. CMinor, and can safely wait for several hours
4. DSerious but stable for now, and needs care soon

In the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), what does level 1 mean?

1. AIs the least urgent patient
2. BNeeds two or more resources
3. CNeeds an immediate life-saving intervention
4. DIs stable enough to be seen in a fast-track area

Which task can the RN usually assign to an LPN/LVN?

1. ADoing the admission assessment of a new patient
2. BChanging the dressing on a stable, healing wound
3. CTriaging a new arrival in the emergency department
4. DWriting the patient’s initial plan of care

A nurse finds a patient on the floor next to the bed. What is the first action?

1. AComplete an incident report while the details are fresh
2. BAssess the patient for responsiveness and injury before moving them
3. CCall the patient’s family to explain what happened
4. DHelp the patient straight back into bed with the help of a colleague

A patient on a medical unit tells the nurse he has a plan to end his life and has saved tablets at home. What is the priority action?

1. AReassure him that things usually look better in the morning after some sleep
2. BAsk him to promise he will not harm himself
3. CEnsure constant observation and remove anything he could use to harm himself
4. DArrange a psychiatry appointment for next week

During START triage, a non-walking adult breathes 22 times a minute, has a radial pulse and follows simple commands, but has an obvious leg fracture. Which category is the victim given?

1. AGreen (minor)
2. BBlack (expectant)
3. CYellow (delayed)
4. DRed (immediate)

Which assignment to an LPN/LVN is most appropriate?

1. AA patient with new atrial fibrillation who has just started an IV diltiazem infusion
2. BA patient who needs discharge teaching for newly started warfarin
3. CA patient transferred from intensive care one hour ago
4. DA patient with stable COPD who needs scheduled nebulized bronchodilators and oral medications

Which patient finding after a total knee replacement needs the nurse’s action first?

1. ASudden calf pain and swelling in the operated leg, with new breathlessness
2. BAsks for an ice pack to help with swelling around the knee
3. CPain of 4/10 when the physiotherapist bends the knee during the morning session
4. DA small amount of dried blood on the dressing