Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

In the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), which patient fits level 2?

1. AA stable patient who needs one resource
2. BA stable patient who needs no resources
3. CA high-risk situation, new confusion, or severe pain or distress
4. DA patient who needs an immediate life-saving intervention to survive

What is the purpose of the “time-out” just before a surgical procedure?

1. ATo give the surgeon a short rest before the operation starts
2. BTo confirm the correct patient, procedure and site
3. CTo let the family say goodbye to the patient
4. DTo count the swabs at the end of the operation

When a charge nurse makes patient assignments, what does a patient’s “acuity” mean?

1. AHow far the patient’s room is from the nurses’ station
2. BHow many visitors the patient is expected to have
3. CHow long the patient has been in the hospital since admission
4. DHow ill the patient is and how much nursing care they need

A patient with asthma uses a peak flow meter. A reading below 50% of personal best is in the red zone. Which statement shows correct understanding?

1. A“I will use my reliever inhaler and get emergency help straight away.”
2. B“I will wait until tomorrow morning to see if the reading gets better on its own.”
3. C“I will go for a short run to open up my lungs.”
4. D“I will stop all my inhalers until the reading is back up.”

Which finding is an early sign of compartment syndrome in a patient with a lower leg fracture?

1. AA strong pedal pulse with warm, pink toes and pain that settles with analgesia
2. BItching under the cast during the first week after it was applied
3. CPain out of proportion to the injury that worsens when the toes are stretched
4. DMild bruising around the fracture site on the second day

Which two patients can most safely share a room?

1. AA patient with chickenpox and a patient on chemotherapy
2. BA patient with influenza and a patient with COPD
3. CTwo patients who both have C. difficile infection
4. DA patient with MRSA in a wound and a patient after surgery

A patient with septic shock remains hypotensive, with a mean arterial pressure of 58 mmHg, after adequate IV fluids. What should the nurse anticipate?

1. AA vasopressor, such as norepinephrine, to raise the pressure
2. BA beta-blocker to slow the heart rate
3. CAn oral fluid challenge with a sports drink
4. DA loop diuretic to remove the extra fluid that has been given

A patient with anorexia nervosa is admitted. Which finding is the priority?

1. AHeart rate 38/min and potassium 2.8 mEq/L
2. BSays she feels fat although she is very thin
3. CRefuses to eat in front of other people
4. DHas fine, downy hair on her arms