Prioritization & delegation worksheet with answers

What is a “critical value” in laboratory testing?

1. AA result that is slightly outside the normal range and can wait for the ward round
2. BA result that is needed only for research
3. CA result that the patient has asked to see
4. DA result that may be life-threatening and must be reported at once

After chemotherapy, a patient has a very low neutrophil count. Which risk is the nursing priority?

1. AHypertension
2. BInfection
3. CDehydration
4. DBleeding

What should the nurse try before using physical restraints on a confused patient?

1. AUsing restraints at once and removing them later if they turn out not to be needed
2. BRestraining all four limbs to be fully safe
3. CLess restrictive measures, such as more frequent checks or a bed alarm
4. DAsking the family to bring restraints from home

A patient with mild dysphagia after a stroke is eating. Which technique helps make swallowing safer?

1. ASitting upright with the chin tucked down while swallowing
2. BTalking while eating to stay alert
3. CDrinking thin fluids quickly through a straw between bites
4. DLying flat with the head tilted back

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“Turn the pump off and on again until it stops.”
3. C“Silence the alarm and I will check it at the end of the shift.”
4. D“I will come and check the pump and the IV site now.”

A nursing assistant reports on four patients. Which report needs the nurse’s attention first?

1. AA patient asks for an extra pillow
2. BA patient has passed 300 mL of urine in the past 6 hours
3. CA patient with COPD has an SpO₂ of 90% at rest, which matches their usual values
4. DA patient one day after abdominal surgery is newly restless and has a heart rate of 124/min

A patient in acute mania paces constantly, has lost weight and will not sit down to eat. Which intervention is most helpful?

1. ALeave meals in the room and let the patient eat whenever and whatever they choose
2. BInsist that the patient sits at the table until the meal is finished
3. COffer high-calorie finger foods and drinks the patient can take while moving
4. DWait until the mania settles before worrying about nutrition

A patient on a cardiac monitor suddenly becomes unresponsive, and the monitor shows ventricular fibrillation. What is the priority once help has been called?

1. ARecord a full 12-lead ECG to confirm the rhythm before doing anything else at all
2. BGive an oral antiarrhythmic tablet and recheck the rhythm in five minutes
3. CDefibrillate as soon as the defibrillator is available, with CPR until then
4. DCheck the blood potassium level before any shock is considered