Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

Which statement about pulse oximetry is correct?

1. AIt shows the patient’s blood glucose
2. BCold fingers or nail polish can give an inaccurate reading
3. CIt measures the carbon dioxide in the blood
4. DThe reading is always correct, whatever finger or hand is used

After caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile diarrhea, how should the nurse clean their hands?

1. AWash with soap and water
2. BNo hand hygiene is needed if gloves were worn
3. CWipe hands on a clean towel
4. DUse alcohol hand rub only

In delegation, what does “right directions and communication” mean?

1. AClear, specific instructions: what to do, when, and what to report back
2. BAsking the delegate to report any unusual findings at the end of the shift
3. CWriting the task in the patient’s chart only
4. DTelling the delegate to use their own judgement

Five days after starting heparin, a patient’s platelet count has fallen by more than half. What should the nurse suspect?

1. AAn expected effect that needs no action
2. BVitamin K deficiency
3. CHeparin-induced thrombocytopenia
4. DIron deficiency anemia

Which infant with gastroenteritis should the nurse see first?

1. ALethargic, sunken fontanel, no wet diaper for 8 hours
2. BMild diaper rash, otherwise playful
3. CAlert, crying with tears, had a wet diaper an hour ago
4. DTwo loose stools today, feeding well

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 with a head injury has a pupil on one side that is now large and does not react to light. What should the nurse do?

1. ADocument it, because pupils often differ slightly after a head injury
2. BDim the room lights so the pupil can get smaller
3. CReport it at once, as it may mean the brain is being compressed
4. DRecheck it at the next routine observation in four hours

An RN has five patients and a nursing assistant. One patient has just become short of breath. Which task should the RN delegate so that the RN can go to that patient?

1. AAssessing the breathless patient’s lung sounds
2. BExplaining the new diagnosis to the breathless patient’s family
3. CGiving the breathless patient’s IV furosemide
4. DMorning vital signs on the four stable patients