Delegation & Prioritization - 2026 Clinical Decision Making:
Exam 2 - Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Clinical decision-making in nursing involves:
A. Guessing
B. Choosing among alternatives based on assessment data, knowledge and priorities
C. Following routine without thought
D. Waiting for orders always
Correct Answer: B. Choosing among alternatives based on assessment data, knowledge and
priorities
Rationale: Decisions are made continually. Clinical judgment underpins them.
2. Delegation differs from a handoff because:
A. They are identical
B. Handoff transfers responsibility and accountability for patient care between licensed
providers, whereas delegation keeps accountability with the delegator
C. Handoff is to assistive personnel
D. Delegation transfers accountability
Correct Answer: B. Handoff transfers responsibility and accountability for patient care
between licensed providers, whereas delegation keeps accountability with the delegator
Rationale: The 2019 guidelines distinguish these processes. Handoffs occur at shift changes and
transfers.
3. A delegation chain of command includes:
A. Ignoring concerns
B. Discussing concerns only with patients
C. Posting concerns online
D. Reporting concerns about delegation or competence to the nurse leader
Correct Answer: D. Reporting concerns about delegation or competence to the nurse leader
Rationale: Leaders address competence issues. Reporting protects patients.
,4. Indirect supervision means the supervising nurse is:
A. Always at the bedside
B. Never reachable
C. Available by phone or other means but not physically present
D. Performing the task personally
Correct Answer: C. Available by phone or other means but not physically present
Rationale: Indirect supervision is common in home and community settings. The delegatee
must be able to reach the nurse.
5. A common barrier to delegation among new nurses is:
A. Too much experience
B. Excess staff
C. Clear policies
D. Lack of confidence and reluctance to ask others for help
Correct Answer: D. Lack of confidence and reluctance to ask others for help
Rationale: Mentoring and practice build delegation skills. Communication training helps.
6. Prioritization differs from delegation in that prioritization:
A. Transfers tasks to others
B. Assigns accountability
C. Evaluates staff
D. Determines the order in which patient needs and tasks are addressed
Correct Answer: D. Determines the order in which patient needs and tasks are addressed
Rationale: Both are core management skills. Prioritization often guides what to delegate.
,7. When the patient's condition changes after a task has been delegated, the delegatee should:
A. Continue as planned
B. Change the plan
C. Wait until the end of the shift
D. Report the change to the delegating nurse immediately
Correct Answer: D. Report the change to the delegating nurse immediately
Rationale: Changing conditions may require the nurse to take over. Reporting expectations
should be clear.
8. Assistive personnel (AP) include:
A. Certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians and medication aides where permitted
B. Physicians
C. Pharmacists
D. Registered nurses
Correct Answer: A. Certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians and medication aides
where permitted
Rationale: AP work under licensed nurse direction. Titles vary by setting.
9. Delegating the removal of a peripheral IV catheter to trained assistive personnel:
A. Is always prohibited
B. Is required
C. May be allowed in some settings per policy and training
D. Is unsafe in all cases
Correct Answer: C. May be allowed in some settings per policy and training
Rationale: Policies differ. Competence and stability guide the decision.
, 10. When delegating, the nurse should avoid:
A. Giving clear instructions
B. Checking competence
C. Following up
D. Delegating tasks that involve unpredictable outcomes or require ongoing assessment
Correct Answer: D. Delegating tasks that involve unpredictable outcomes or require ongoing
assessment
Rationale: Predictable, routine tasks are best for delegation. Unstable situations need licensed
care.
11. Delegating the collection of a routine urine specimen to assistive personnel is:
A. Appropriate with clear instructions
B. Inappropriate
C. Only for physicians
D. Never allowed
Correct Answer: A. Appropriate with clear instructions
Rationale: Specimen collection is a routine task. Labeling and timing instructions are needed.
12. Delegating the collection of a clean-catch midstream urine specimen requires instructions
on:
A. Cleansing technique, midstream collection and prompt labeling and delivery
B. Medication dosing
C. Interpreting results
D. Ordering cultures
Correct Answer: A. Cleansing technique, midstream collection and prompt labeling and
delivery
Rationale: Proper technique prevents contamination. Delays may affect results.
Exam 2 - Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Clinical decision-making in nursing involves:
A. Guessing
B. Choosing among alternatives based on assessment data, knowledge and priorities
C. Following routine without thought
D. Waiting for orders always
Correct Answer: B. Choosing among alternatives based on assessment data, knowledge and
priorities
Rationale: Decisions are made continually. Clinical judgment underpins them.
2. Delegation differs from a handoff because:
A. They are identical
B. Handoff transfers responsibility and accountability for patient care between licensed
providers, whereas delegation keeps accountability with the delegator
C. Handoff is to assistive personnel
D. Delegation transfers accountability
Correct Answer: B. Handoff transfers responsibility and accountability for patient care
between licensed providers, whereas delegation keeps accountability with the delegator
Rationale: The 2019 guidelines distinguish these processes. Handoffs occur at shift changes and
transfers.
3. A delegation chain of command includes:
A. Ignoring concerns
B. Discussing concerns only with patients
C. Posting concerns online
D. Reporting concerns about delegation or competence to the nurse leader
Correct Answer: D. Reporting concerns about delegation or competence to the nurse leader
Rationale: Leaders address competence issues. Reporting protects patients.
,4. Indirect supervision means the supervising nurse is:
A. Always at the bedside
B. Never reachable
C. Available by phone or other means but not physically present
D. Performing the task personally
Correct Answer: C. Available by phone or other means but not physically present
Rationale: Indirect supervision is common in home and community settings. The delegatee
must be able to reach the nurse.
5. A common barrier to delegation among new nurses is:
A. Too much experience
B. Excess staff
C. Clear policies
D. Lack of confidence and reluctance to ask others for help
Correct Answer: D. Lack of confidence and reluctance to ask others for help
Rationale: Mentoring and practice build delegation skills. Communication training helps.
6. Prioritization differs from delegation in that prioritization:
A. Transfers tasks to others
B. Assigns accountability
C. Evaluates staff
D. Determines the order in which patient needs and tasks are addressed
Correct Answer: D. Determines the order in which patient needs and tasks are addressed
Rationale: Both are core management skills. Prioritization often guides what to delegate.
,7. When the patient's condition changes after a task has been delegated, the delegatee should:
A. Continue as planned
B. Change the plan
C. Wait until the end of the shift
D. Report the change to the delegating nurse immediately
Correct Answer: D. Report the change to the delegating nurse immediately
Rationale: Changing conditions may require the nurse to take over. Reporting expectations
should be clear.
8. Assistive personnel (AP) include:
A. Certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians and medication aides where permitted
B. Physicians
C. Pharmacists
D. Registered nurses
Correct Answer: A. Certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians and medication aides
where permitted
Rationale: AP work under licensed nurse direction. Titles vary by setting.
9. Delegating the removal of a peripheral IV catheter to trained assistive personnel:
A. Is always prohibited
B. Is required
C. May be allowed in some settings per policy and training
D. Is unsafe in all cases
Correct Answer: C. May be allowed in some settings per policy and training
Rationale: Policies differ. Competence and stability guide the decision.
, 10. When delegating, the nurse should avoid:
A. Giving clear instructions
B. Checking competence
C. Following up
D. Delegating tasks that involve unpredictable outcomes or require ongoing assessment
Correct Answer: D. Delegating tasks that involve unpredictable outcomes or require ongoing
assessment
Rationale: Predictable, routine tasks are best for delegation. Unstable situations need licensed
care.
11. Delegating the collection of a routine urine specimen to assistive personnel is:
A. Appropriate with clear instructions
B. Inappropriate
C. Only for physicians
D. Never allowed
Correct Answer: A. Appropriate with clear instructions
Rationale: Specimen collection is a routine task. Labeling and timing instructions are needed.
12. Delegating the collection of a clean-catch midstream urine specimen requires instructions
on:
A. Cleansing technique, midstream collection and prompt labeling and delivery
B. Medication dosing
C. Interpreting results
D. Ordering cultures
Correct Answer: A. Cleansing technique, midstream collection and prompt labeling and
delivery
Rationale: Proper technique prevents contamination. Delays may affect results.
