Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment Flashcards
7 cards from real BSN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment flashcards as text
A nurse is evaluating a UAP's performance after delegating blood pressure monitoring. Which finding requires the nurse to re-educate the UAP?
Answer: The UAP independently decided to administer a PRN antihypertensive based on the reading
Administering medications — even PRN — is outside the UAP scope of practice; this decision and action belong exclusively to the licensed nurse.
Which patient condition is an example of an 'urgent' priority (versus emergent or non-urgent) using triage principles?
Answer: A stable fracture with pain and swelling but intact circulation and sensation
A stable fracture with intact neurovascular status is urgent — it needs timely attention but is not immediately life-threatening like cardiac arrest or airway obstruction.
A nurse is caring for postpartum patients. Which patient requires the nurse's most immediate assessment?
Answer: A patient 2 hours post-cesarean delivery with a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg and heart rate of 120 bpm
Hypotension and tachycardia at 2 hours post-cesarean indicate possible hemorrhage or other hemodynamic instability requiring immediate assessment.
Which action demonstrates appropriate supervision after delegation?
Answer: Checking in with the delegate mid-task and evaluating the patient's response after task completion
Checking in during and after task completion ensures the task was performed safely and the patient's condition is as expected.
A nurse manager notices consistent conflict between two staff RNs regarding patient assignments. What is the most appropriate first action?
Answer: Meet with both nurses individually to understand each perspective before facilitating a joint resolution
Gathering each party's perspective individually is the first step in conflict resolution, allowing the manager to facilitate a fair, informed discussion.
A nurse is using the CURE hierarchy when setting priorities. What does this model address that Maslow's hierarchy does not?
Answer: Time-sensitivity and acuity of clinical deterioration
The CURE model (Critical, Urgent, Routine, Extras) specifically incorporates clinical acuity and time-sensitivity, which Maslow's hierarchy does not directly address.
A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should the nurse visit FIRST?
Answer: A patient who received morphine 30 minutes ago and now has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min after opioid administration indicates respiratory depression, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.