NCLEX Prioritization & Delegation Quiz

10 free NCLEX-style questions on who to see first, delegation and scope of practice, each with a full rationale.

NCLEX prioritization questions study help – Dr. Blake NCLEX Review

NCLEX prioritization questions: What You Need to Know

Looking for help with NCLEX prioritization questions? You are in the right place. This guide gives nursing candidates across the USA and Canada clear, practical steps to prepare for the NCLEX with confidence.

Practice only: These are original practice questions written by Dr. Blake NCLEX Review to build clinical judgment. They are not actual NCLEX exam items and are not affiliated with NCSBN.

NCLEX Prioritization & Delegation Quiz: 10 Questions with Rationales

Answer every question, then select Check My Answers to see your score and the rationale for each item.

Question 1

Choose one answer

A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?

A. A client with a nasogastric tube reporting nauseaB. A postoperative client whose oxygen saturation dropped from 96% to 88%C. A client requesting pain medication for chronic back painD. A client scheduled for discharge in one hour

Correct answer: B
A falling oxygen saturation is an airway/breathing problem and takes priority by the ABCs. The other findings are important but not immediately life-threatening.

Question 2

Select all that apply

Which tasks can the RN appropriately delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? Select all that apply.

A. Feeding a stable client who had a normal swallow evaluationB. Measuring and recording vital signs on a stable clientC. Assessing a new surgical woundD. Assisting a client to ambulate in the hallwayE. Reinforcing teaching about a new diagnosis

Correct answer: A, B, D
UAPs perform routine, standardized tasks for stable clients: feeding, vital signs and ambulation. Assessment and teaching require the RN’s judgment.

Question 3

Choose one answer

The nurse is prioritizing care. Using Maslow’s hierarchy, which need is addressed first?

A. A client who feels isolated and wants to talkB. A client with a blocked airwayC. A client worried about paying the hospital billD. A client asking about spiritual support

Correct answer: B
Physiological needs, especially airway, come before safety, love/belonging, esteem and self-actualization.

Question 4

Choose one answer

An LPN/LVN can appropriately perform which action for a stable client?

A. Develop the initial plan of careB. Perform the admission assessmentC. Administer an oral medicationD. Provide discharge teaching for a new diagnosis

Correct answer: C
LPNs/LVNs care for stable clients and administer many medications. Initial assessment, initial teaching and care planning are RN responsibilities.

Question 5

Choose one answer

Which client should the charge nurse assign to the most experienced RN?

A. A client awaiting routine dischargeB. A client with stable chronic heart failureC. A client 2 hours post-op from a thyroidectomyD. A client receiving scheduled oral antibiotics

Correct answer: C
A fresh post-thyroidectomy client risks airway swelling and bleeding and needs close, skilled assessment.

Question 6

Choose one answer

The nurse must see several clients. Which finding requires the most immediate attention?

A. A potassium level of 6.8 mEq/LB. A hemoglobin of 10 g/dLC. A blood glucose of 160 mg/dLD. A temperature of 100.2°F (37.9°C)

Correct answer: A
A potassium of 6.8 is dangerously high and can cause fatal arrhythmias. It is the most unstable, unexpected value.

Question 7

Choose one answer

Which situation is the best example of applying the “acute over chronic” rule?

A. Seeing a client with lifelong asthma before a client with new chest painB. Seeing a client with new confusion before a client with long-standing dementiaC. Seeing a stable client before an unstable clientD. Delegating assessment to a UAP

Correct answer: B
New (acute) confusion is more urgent than a stable, chronic baseline of dementia and should be assessed first.

Question 8

Choose one answer

The nurse delegates to a UAP. Which statement shows appropriate delegation?

A. “Check this client’s lung sounds and tell me what you hear.”B. “Take the vital signs on room 4 and report a systolic below 100.”C. “Teach this client how to use the incentive spirometer.”D. “Evaluate whether the pain medication worked.”

Correct answer: B
Delegation should include clear direction and reporting parameters for a routine task like vital signs. Listening to lung sounds, teaching and evaluating are nursing judgments.

Question 9

Choose one answer

Four clients call at once. Which should the nurse respond to first?

A. A client who needs help to the bathroomB. A client whose IV pump is beeping “occlusion”C. A client reporting sudden shortness of breathD. A client asking for a warm blanket

Correct answer: C
Sudden shortness of breath is a breathing emergency and outranks comfort, mobility and a non-urgent pump alarm.

Question 10

Select all that apply

Which of the following are part of the Five Rights of Delegation? Select all that apply.

A. Right taskB. Right diagnosisC. Right personD. Right supervisionE. Right insurance

Correct answer: A, C, D
The Five Rights of Delegation are the right task, circumstance, person, direction/communication and supervision. Diagnosis and insurance are not among them.

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Study Tips for This Topic

Always apply ABCs first, then Maslow.
Delegate only routine, standardized tasks for stable clients.
Assessment, teaching and evaluation stay with the RN.
New/unexpected findings usually outrank chronic ones.

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FAQ

Are these real NCLEX questions?

No. These are original practice questions written to build clinical judgment. They are not actual NCLEX exam items.

How many prioritization questions are on the NCLEX?

Prioritization and delegation fall under Management of Care, the largest NCLEX-RN category at 15–21% of the exam.