NCLEX: Priority & Delegation

What does the acronym ABC stand for in clinical prioritization?

Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which category of needs must be addressed first?

Physiological needs (e.g., oxygen, water, food, elimination).

Which member of the healthcare team is responsible for the initial assessment of a newly admitted patient?

The Registered Nurse (RN).

In prioritization, should the nurse generally see an 'acute' or 'chronic' patient first?

The acute patient.

What is the term for the process of transferring the authority to perform a nursing task to another team member?

Delegation.

Between a 'stable' and 'unstable' patient, who is the higher priority?

The unstable patient.

Can a Registered Nurse delegate the task of 'patient teaching' to an LPN or UAP?

No, patient teaching and education are the sole responsibility of the RN.

Which tasks are generally appropriate to delegate to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)?

Non-invasive tasks such as ADLs, ambulation, feeding (without swallowing precautions), and vital signs on stable patients.

List the 'Five Rights of Delegation.'

Right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction/communication, and right supervision/evaluation.

Can an LPN/LVN administer intravenous (IV) push medications in most jurisdictions?

Generally no, IV push medications are typically reserved for the RN scope of practice.