NU 136 | PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION | 2026/2027
NU 136
NURSING PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2026/2027 | Clinical Judgment | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Purpose: Original study questions for practicing prioritization, assignment, delegation,
escalation, and clinical judgment. These are educational materials, not official course or
licensing-exam questions.
Important scope note: Delegation and assignment rules vary by jurisdiction, facility policy, and
demonstrated competency. Follow current local regulations, institutional policy, and instructor
guidance.
Practice Questions
Question 1. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A client with chronic arthritis requesting scheduled pain medication
A client with pneumonia who has new confusion and an oxygen saturation of 86%
A client ready for discharge who needs instructions reviewed
A client with diabetes whose premeal glucose is 154 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: New confusion with hypoxemia may indicate impaired oxygenation and
acute deterioration. Airway and breathing threats take priority over routine pain, discharge
teaching, or a mildly elevated glucose value.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Chronic pain requires treatment, but it is not the most urgent finding described.
B. New confusion with an oxygen saturation of 86% signals possible hypoxemia and requires
immediate assessment and intervention.
Original educational practice resource • Confirm scope and policies with your instructor and facility
, NU 136 | PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION | 2026/2027
C. Discharge teaching can wait until the unstable client is assessed.
D. A glucose of 154 mg/dL may require routine management but is not the most urgent cue
here.
Key Clinical Judgment Concept: Clinical priority: airway, breathing, circulation, then safety and
routine needs.
Question 2. Which task is most appropriate for the registered nurse (RN) to delegate
to experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
Assess a newly admitted client’s lung sounds
Teach a client how to use an incentive spirometer
Obtain routine vital signs for a stable client
Evaluate whether a pain medication was effective
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Rationale: UAP may collect routine, predictable data for stable clients.
Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require nursing judgment and remain the RN’s
responsibility.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Initial assessment and interpretation of lung sounds require licensed nursing judgment.
B. Teaching requires assessment of learning needs and evaluation of understanding.
C. Routine vital-sign collection for a stable client is an appropriate delegated task when policy
and competency allow.
D. Evaluating medication response requires nursing assessment and judgment.
Key Clinical Judgment Concept: Delegation: match the task to the worker’s validated
competency and the client’s stability.
Original educational practice resource • Confirm scope and policies with your instructor and facility
, NU 136 | PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION | 2026/2027
Question 3. A client suddenly reports crushing chest pressure and becomes
diaphoretic. What should the nurse do first?
Complete the scheduled documentation before responding
Stay with the client, assess immediate status, and activate the emergency response pathway
Ask UAP to explain the possible causes to the client
Finish medication administration for another stable client
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Sudden chest pressure with diaphoresis may indicate an acute coronary
event. The nurse should remain with the client, rapidly assess ABCs, and activate the
appropriate emergency response while following facility protocol.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Documentation must not delay response to a potential emergency.
B. Rapid assessment and emergency escalation address immediate risk.
C. Explaining causes is not within UAP scope and does not address urgent deterioration.
D. Routine tasks for stable clients must be interrupted when an emergency occurs.
Key Clinical Judgment Concept: Clinical judgment: recognize acute deterioration and escalate
promptly.
Question 4. Which client is the best assignment for an LPN/LVN, assuming local
policy permits the listed care?
A newly admitted client requiring an initial comprehensive assessment
A stable client with a predictable condition who needs routine oral medications and a
dressing change
A client with rapidly worsening respiratory distress
A client needing initial discharge teaching for a new complex diagnosis
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: A stable client with predictable needs may be appropriate for an
LPN/LVN assignment, depending on jurisdiction, policy, and demonstrated competency.
Original educational practice resource • Confirm scope and policies with your instructor and facility
NU 136
NURSING PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2026/2027 | Clinical Judgment | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Purpose: Original study questions for practicing prioritization, assignment, delegation,
escalation, and clinical judgment. These are educational materials, not official course or
licensing-exam questions.
Important scope note: Delegation and assignment rules vary by jurisdiction, facility policy, and
demonstrated competency. Follow current local regulations, institutional policy, and instructor
guidance.
Practice Questions
Question 1. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A client with chronic arthritis requesting scheduled pain medication
A client with pneumonia who has new confusion and an oxygen saturation of 86%
A client ready for discharge who needs instructions reviewed
A client with diabetes whose premeal glucose is 154 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: New confusion with hypoxemia may indicate impaired oxygenation and
acute deterioration. Airway and breathing threats take priority over routine pain, discharge
teaching, or a mildly elevated glucose value.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Chronic pain requires treatment, but it is not the most urgent finding described.
B. New confusion with an oxygen saturation of 86% signals possible hypoxemia and requires
immediate assessment and intervention.
Original educational practice resource • Confirm scope and policies with your instructor and facility
, NU 136 | PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION | 2026/2027
C. Discharge teaching can wait until the unstable client is assessed.
D. A glucose of 154 mg/dL may require routine management but is not the most urgent cue
here.
Key Clinical Judgment Concept: Clinical priority: airway, breathing, circulation, then safety and
routine needs.
Question 2. Which task is most appropriate for the registered nurse (RN) to delegate
to experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
Assess a newly admitted client’s lung sounds
Teach a client how to use an incentive spirometer
Obtain routine vital signs for a stable client
Evaluate whether a pain medication was effective
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Rationale: UAP may collect routine, predictable data for stable clients.
Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require nursing judgment and remain the RN’s
responsibility.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Initial assessment and interpretation of lung sounds require licensed nursing judgment.
B. Teaching requires assessment of learning needs and evaluation of understanding.
C. Routine vital-sign collection for a stable client is an appropriate delegated task when policy
and competency allow.
D. Evaluating medication response requires nursing assessment and judgment.
Key Clinical Judgment Concept: Delegation: match the task to the worker’s validated
competency and the client’s stability.
Original educational practice resource • Confirm scope and policies with your instructor and facility
, NU 136 | PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION | 2026/2027
Question 3. A client suddenly reports crushing chest pressure and becomes
diaphoretic. What should the nurse do first?
Complete the scheduled documentation before responding
Stay with the client, assess immediate status, and activate the emergency response pathway
Ask UAP to explain the possible causes to the client
Finish medication administration for another stable client
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Sudden chest pressure with diaphoresis may indicate an acute coronary
event. The nurse should remain with the client, rapidly assess ABCs, and activate the
appropriate emergency response while following facility protocol.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Documentation must not delay response to a potential emergency.
B. Rapid assessment and emergency escalation address immediate risk.
C. Explaining causes is not within UAP scope and does not address urgent deterioration.
D. Routine tasks for stable clients must be interrupted when an emergency occurs.
Key Clinical Judgment Concept: Clinical judgment: recognize acute deterioration and escalate
promptly.
Question 4. Which client is the best assignment for an LPN/LVN, assuming local
policy permits the listed care?
A newly admitted client requiring an initial comprehensive assessment
A stable client with a predictable condition who needs routine oral medications and a
dressing change
A client with rapidly worsening respiratory distress
A client needing initial discharge teaching for a new complex diagnosis
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: A stable client with predictable needs may be appropriate for an
LPN/LVN assignment, depending on jurisdiction, policy, and demonstrated competency.
Original educational practice resource • Confirm scope and policies with your instructor and facility
