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Time Management & Prioritization (20 Questions)
A nurse has multiple tasks to complete at the start of a shift. Which task should the
nurse prioritize?
A) Documenting routine vital signs
B) Administering a stat medication
C) Providing discharge teaching
D) Assisting with a bed bath
Answer: B) Administering a stat medication
Rationale: Stat medications are ordered for immediate administration to address urgent
conditions, making them the highest priority. Documentation, teaching, and hygiene are
important but less urgent.
A nurse is managing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A) A client reporting mild nausea after breakfast
B) A client with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min
C) A client awaiting a scheduled dressing change
D) A client requesting pain medication for a headache
Answer: B) A client with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28 indicates potential respiratory distress, requiring
immediate assessment. Other issues are less urgent.
A nurse is interrupted while preparing medications. What should the nurse do to
maintain efficiency?
A) Resume preparation without reviewing
B) Verify all medications before continuing
C) Delegate the task to an assistive personnel
D) Skip the medication administration
Answer: B) Verify all medications before continuing
Rationale: Verifying medications ensures safety and prevents errors after an interruption.
Delegating or skipping is unsafe, and resuming without review risks mistakes.
A nurse has 30 minutes to complete several tasks. Which task can be delegated to an
assistive personnel (AP)?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Taking routine vital signs
, C) Assessing a new wound
D) Developing a care plan
Answer: B) Taking routine vital signs
Rationale: Taking vital signs is within the AP’s scope of practice. Administering
medications, assessing wounds, or developing care plans require a nurse’s expertise.
A nurse is planning care for a busy shift. Which strategy improves time management?
A) Complete tasks as they arise without a plan
B) Create a prioritized to-do list at shift start
C) Focus only on one client at a time
D) Delay documentation until the end of the shift
Answer: B) Create a prioritized to-do list at shift start
Rationale: A prioritized to-do list organizes tasks efficiently, ensuring urgent needs are
met first. Other options lead to disorganization or delays.
A nurse is caring for a client with chest pain. Which action should be taken first?
A) Obtain a full set of vital signs
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Administer pain medication
D) Document the client’s symptoms
Answer: B) Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate a life-threatening condition, requiring immediate
provider notification. Other actions follow based on orders.
A nurse is managing a code situation. Which task should be prioritized?
A) Preparing discharge paperwork
B) Initiating chest compressions
C) Updating the client’s chart
D) Calling the family
Answer: B) Initiating chest compressions
Rationale: Chest compressions are critical in a code to restore circulation, making them
the priority. Other tasks are non-urgent in this context.
A nurse is prioritizing care for a client with diabetes. Which task should be completed
first?
A) Check blood glucose before breakfast
B) Provide dietary teaching
C) Administer insulin after lunch
D) Document previous glucose levels
Answer: A) Check blood glucose before breakfast
Rationale: Checking blood glucose before meals guides insulin dosing and prevents
complications, making it the priority.
A nurse is running behind schedule. Which task can be safely postponed?
A) Administering an antibiotic due now
B) Changing a non-soiled bed linen
, C) Suctioning a client with airway obstruction
D) Monitoring a post-operative client’s vital signs
Answer: B) Changing a non-soiled bed linen
Rationale: Changing non-soiled linens is non-urgent. Antibiotics, suctioning, and
monitoring are critical for client safety.
A nurse is organizing tasks for a 12-hour shift. Which method enhances time
management?
A) Grouping similar tasks together
B) Completing tasks in random order
C) Delegating all tasks to assistive personnel
D) Avoiding breaks to save time
Answer: A) Grouping similar tasks together
Rationale: Grouping tasks (e.g., medication administration) improves efficiency.
Random order, over-delegation, or skipping breaks reduces effectiveness.
A nurse is managing a client with a new colostomy. Which task should be prioritized?
A) Teaching colostomy care
B) Assessing stoma color
C) Changing the pouch
D) Documenting output
Answer: B) Assessing stoma color
Rationale: Assessing stoma color detects complications like ischemia, which is critical.
Teaching, changing, and documenting are secondary.
A nurse is caring for multiple clients when a code is called. Which action should the
nurse take?
A) Continue routine care for other clients
B) Assist with the code response
C) Document routine assessments
D) Prepare for client discharges
Answer: B) Assist with the code response
Rationale: A code is an emergency requiring immediate nurse involvement. Routine
care, documentation, and discharges are deferred.
A nurse is prioritizing morning assessments. Which client should be seen first?
A) A client with stable vital signs
B) A client reporting sudden chest pain
C) A client awaiting a routine procedure
D) A client needing hygiene assistance
Answer: B) A client reporting sudden chest pain
Rationale: Sudden chest pain may indicate a cardiac emergency, requiring immediate
assessment. Other clients have less urgent needs.
A nurse is managing a heavy workload. Which strategy prevents burnout?
A) Skip breaks to complete tasks