Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

A patient’s respiratory rate is 30/min at rest. How should the nurse classify this finding in an adult?

1. ASlow, and expected while the patient is asleep
2. BAbnormally fast and needing assessment
3. CWithin the normal adult range
4. DNormal after a meal

Which patient is unstable?

1. AA patient with a new irregular pulse who says they feel dizzy
2. BA patient with long-standing arthritis pain of 3/10
3. CA patient with a healing leg wound and normal vital signs this morning
4. DA patient waiting for a planned hip X-ray

What does a “PRN” medication order mean?

1. AGive the drug only before surgery
2. BGive the drug at exactly the same time every single day
3. CGive the drug when needed, within the prescribed limits
4. DGive the drug once only, immediately

A nursing assistant tells the RN that a patient’s IV pump is alarming. What is the best response?

1. A“Increase the rate a little so the alarm clears.”
2. B“Silence the alarm and I will check it at the end of the shift.”
3. C“Turn the pump off and on again until it stops.”
4. D“I will come and check the pump and the IV site now.”

A nurse gives IV morphine for severe pain. When should the nurse reassess the pain and sedation?

1. AWithin about 15–30 minutes
2. BOnly when the patient asks for more
3. CAt the end of the shift
4. DAt the next routine round in four hours

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

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

Four patients arrive at the emergency department together. Who should be seen first?

1. AA 2-year-old who is drooling, sitting forward and has stridor
2. BAn adult with a deformed ankle and a normal pulse in the foot
3. CA teenager with a cut on the arm whose bleeding is controlled
4. DAn adult with a migraine and a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg

Which patient needs airborne precautions rather than droplet precautions?

1. AA child with chickenpox (varicella)
2. BA teenager with mumps
3. CA child with pertussis (whooping cough)
4. DAn adult with influenza