Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

Which phrase in a question usually signals a priority question?

1. A“Which action should the nurse take first?”
2. B“Which statement describes this drug’s class?”
3. C“Which term means inflammation of the liver?”
4. D“Which bone is found in the forearm?”

Which finding is expected in a patient with long-standing COPD?

1. AA barrel-shaped chest
2. BSudden sharp chest pain
3. CAn SpO₂ of 78%
4. DNew confusion

When a priority question asks what to do “first”, what is it asking for?

1. AThe only option that is correct; the others are wrong
2. BThe action that takes the most time to complete
3. CThe action that nurses perform most often during a typical shift
4. DThe step that comes before the others, even if all are correct

A parent of a child with influenza talks with the nurse. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

1. A“I will give my child aspirin to bring the fever down.”
2. B“I will call if my child has trouble breathing.”
3. C“I will give my child plenty of fluids.”
4. D“I will keep my child home from school and away from others while unwell.”

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. BAssess the location, character and onset of the pain and the vital signs
3. CAsk the nursing assistant to reposition the patient
4. DGive the strongest analgesic on the chart straight away

A patient receiving chemotherapy has a temperature of 38.3 °C and a very low neutrophil count. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive a cool shower and offer extra fluids, then wait and see what happens
2. BDocument the reading and mention it at the next handover
3. CRecheck the temperature in four hours before telling anyone
4. DReport it at once, because cultures and antibiotics are needed quickly

A trauma patient has an open leg fracture, absent breath sounds on one side, a trachea shifted to the other side and a falling blood pressure. Which problem is the priority?

1. AThe pain from the fracture
2. BThe open fracture of the leg
3. CThe suspected tension pneumothorax
4. DThe risk of wound infection

An adult choking on food is coughing forcefully and can speak a little. What should the nurse do?

1. AEncourage the patient to keep coughing and stay with them
2. BSweep the mouth blindly with a finger
3. CGive abdominal thrusts straight away until the food comes out
4. DGive the patient water to wash the food down