Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment flashcards as text
A nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess FIRST using the ABCs framework?
Answer: A patient with oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxia and is an immediate airway/breathing emergency that takes priority over the other concerns.
Which action by a nursing assistant (NA) during morning care requires the RN to intervene immediately?
Answer: The NA performs oral care on an unconscious patient with the head of bed flat
Performing oral care with the head of bed flat on an unconscious patient creates a high aspiration risk and requires immediate intervention.
A charge nurse is assigning patients. Which patient is MOST appropriate to assign to a newly licensed RN still on orientation?
Answer: A patient post-op day 2 following an appendectomy with stable vital signs
A stable post-op day 2 appendectomy patient represents a predictable, lower-acuity assignment appropriate for a nurse still building clinical competency.
Under which circumstance is it appropriate to delegate a task to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?
Answer: Administering a routine oral medication to a stable patient
Administering routine medications to stable patients is within the LPN scope of practice in most states and is an appropriate delegation.
A nurse uses the SBAR communication tool when handing off a deteriorating patient. What does the 'R' stand for?
Answer: Recommendation
In SBAR, 'R' stands for Recommendation — the nurse's suggested action or plan for addressing the patient's condition.
Which of the following tasks CANNOT be delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) by an RN?
Answer: Performing a focused respiratory assessment on a patient with new-onset shortness of breath
Assessment is a cognitive, clinical judgment task that falls exclusively within the RN scope of practice and cannot be delegated to UAP.
A nurse is prioritizing care using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Which patient need should be addressed first?
Answer: A patient with acute urinary retention causing significant pain and bladder distension
Acute urinary retention is a physiological need causing physical harm and must be addressed before psychological or comfort needs.
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