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Celeste Padilla Geriatric Care SIM |
Sentinel U Prioritization of Care v2 | 95%
Score | Complete Answers & Rationales |
2026 Edition.
1. According to the Sentinel U® Geriatric Care simulation
framework, the first step in prioritizing patients is to:
A) Complete all documentation tasks before patient contact
B) Identify patients at the highest risk for injury or clinical
instability
C) Administer medications in the order they appear on the MAR
D) Answer all family questions before assessing any patient
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: The core of the Prioritization of Care® series is
identifying which patient requires immediate attention based on
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risk and instability. The simulation emphasizes that patient safety
is the priority, focusing on those with new-onset conditions (e.g.,
seizures, acute confusion, respiratory distress) or unstable vital
signs before stable patients.
2. Celeste Padilla, the named simulation patient, presents with
sudden onset of confusion, agitation, and a fever of 38.9°C.
What is the MOST likely underlying cause?
A) Dementia progression
B) Delirium secondary to urinary tract infection (UTI)
C) Dehydration
D) Normal age-related cognitive change
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults frequently present with atypical signs of
infection. Fever + acute confusion + agitation in an elderly
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patient is classic for delirium, with UTI being the most common
infectious trigger. The simulation explicitly teaches that “new
confusion” should trigger immediate investigation for infection,
medication effect, or hypoxia.
3. In the Sentinel U® simulation, which of the following
patients should the nurse see FIRST after receiving shift
report?
A) 78-year-old with chronic back pain requesting scheduled
analgesia
B) 82-year-old with new-onset confusion and agitation
C) 75-year-old with controlled diabetes mellitus requesting
discharge teaching
D) 80-year-old with mild hearing loss
✅ Answer: B
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Rationale: New confusion in an older adult is a medical
emergency until proven otherwise. It may indicate delirium from
infection, metabolic disturbance, medication toxicity, or hypoxia
— all potentially reversible but requiring urgent assessment.
Chronic back pain (A), discharge teaching (C), and sensory deficit
(D) are stable needs.
4. Celeste Padilla’s simulation activity report includes a
section titled “Level of Care Selection.” What is the PRIMARY
purpose of this section?
A) To calculate the daily financial cost of a patient’s hospital stay
B) To determine the most appropriate post-acute care setting for
each patient (e.g., Home Health, Inpatient Rehab, Skilled
Nursing)
C) To decide which nurse should be assigned to each patient
D) To select the patient’s primary care physician
Celeste Padilla Geriatric Care SIM |
Sentinel U Prioritization of Care v2 | 95%
Score | Complete Answers & Rationales |
2026 Edition.
1. According to the Sentinel U® Geriatric Care simulation
framework, the first step in prioritizing patients is to:
A) Complete all documentation tasks before patient contact
B) Identify patients at the highest risk for injury or clinical
instability
C) Administer medications in the order they appear on the MAR
D) Answer all family questions before assessing any patient
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: The core of the Prioritization of Care® series is
identifying which patient requires immediate attention based on
,Page 2 of 151
risk and instability. The simulation emphasizes that patient safety
is the priority, focusing on those with new-onset conditions (e.g.,
seizures, acute confusion, respiratory distress) or unstable vital
signs before stable patients.
2. Celeste Padilla, the named simulation patient, presents with
sudden onset of confusion, agitation, and a fever of 38.9°C.
What is the MOST likely underlying cause?
A) Dementia progression
B) Delirium secondary to urinary tract infection (UTI)
C) Dehydration
D) Normal age-related cognitive change
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults frequently present with atypical signs of
infection. Fever + acute confusion + agitation in an elderly
,Page 3 of 151
patient is classic for delirium, with UTI being the most common
infectious trigger. The simulation explicitly teaches that “new
confusion” should trigger immediate investigation for infection,
medication effect, or hypoxia.
3. In the Sentinel U® simulation, which of the following
patients should the nurse see FIRST after receiving shift
report?
A) 78-year-old with chronic back pain requesting scheduled
analgesia
B) 82-year-old with new-onset confusion and agitation
C) 75-year-old with controlled diabetes mellitus requesting
discharge teaching
D) 80-year-old with mild hearing loss
✅ Answer: B
, Page 4 of 151
Rationale: New confusion in an older adult is a medical
emergency until proven otherwise. It may indicate delirium from
infection, metabolic disturbance, medication toxicity, or hypoxia
— all potentially reversible but requiring urgent assessment.
Chronic back pain (A), discharge teaching (C), and sensory deficit
(D) are stable needs.
4. Celeste Padilla’s simulation activity report includes a
section titled “Level of Care Selection.” What is the PRIMARY
purpose of this section?
A) To calculate the daily financial cost of a patient’s hospital stay
B) To determine the most appropriate post-acute care setting for
each patient (e.g., Home Health, Inpatient Rehab, Skilled
Nursing)
C) To decide which nurse should be assigned to each patient
D) To select the patient’s primary care physician
