2025–2026 NCLEX-RN Prioritization, Delegation &
Assignment Test Bank: 200 Practice Questions with
Answers & Rationales
A nurse is caring for four clients. Who should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with asthma requesting PRN albuterol
B. A client with diabetes reporting hunger
C. A post-op client with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg
D. A client with a history of hypertension due for discharge
✅ Correct Answer: C. A post-op client with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg
Rationale: Low blood pressure in a post-op patient may indicate bleeding or shock
and is the highest priority.
,2. Which task is appropriate to delegate to a UAP?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Monitoring pain response after IV morphine
C. Ambulating a stable post-op client
D. Initial vital signs for a new admission
✅ Correct Answer: C. Ambulating a stable post-op client
Rationale: UAPs can assist with ambulation of stable clients, not assessment or
medication administration.
3. A nurse is receiving the following shift reports. Which client should be seen
first?
A. COPD client with O2 saturation of 91%
B. Client with chest pain radiating to the jaw
C. Diabetic client with fasting glucose of 110 mg/dL
D. Client with UTI requesting pain meds
✅ Correct Answer: B. Client with chest pain radiating to the jaw
Rationale: Classic sign of MI. Chest pain is always a high-priority situation
requiring immediate action.
,4. Which client is the best candidate for assignment to a float nurse from the
surgical unit?
A. A client receiving chemotherapy
B. A client with new-onset seizures
C. A client scheduled for routine wound dressing
D. A client in labor
✅ Correct Answer: C. A client scheduled for routine wound dressing
Rationale: This task matches the float nurse’s skill set. Unstable or specialty
clients need experienced unit nurses.
5. Which action by the LPN requires intervention by the RN?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Documenting vital signs
C. Starting an IV line
D. Teaching a client about warfarin side effects
✅ Correct Answer: D. Teaching a client about warfarin side effects
Rationale: Client education is the RN’s responsibility. LPNs can reinforce but not
initiate teaching.
, 6. A nurse is making rounds. Which client should be assessed first?
A. A client with a cast requesting pain meds
B. A client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L
C. A client who is scheduled for discharge
D. A client ambulating for the first time post-op
✅ Correct Answer: B. A client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias and requires immediate
evaluation and intervention.
7. Which task can the RN safely delegate to the LPN?
A. Developing a plan of care
B. Evaluating IV therapy effectiveness
C. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
D. Performing initial client assessment
✅ Correct Answer: C. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
Rationale: LPNs can reinforce pre-taught material but not initiate or assess
teaching.
Assignment Test Bank: 200 Practice Questions with
Answers & Rationales
A nurse is caring for four clients. Who should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with asthma requesting PRN albuterol
B. A client with diabetes reporting hunger
C. A post-op client with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg
D. A client with a history of hypertension due for discharge
✅ Correct Answer: C. A post-op client with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg
Rationale: Low blood pressure in a post-op patient may indicate bleeding or shock
and is the highest priority.
,2. Which task is appropriate to delegate to a UAP?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Monitoring pain response after IV morphine
C. Ambulating a stable post-op client
D. Initial vital signs for a new admission
✅ Correct Answer: C. Ambulating a stable post-op client
Rationale: UAPs can assist with ambulation of stable clients, not assessment or
medication administration.
3. A nurse is receiving the following shift reports. Which client should be seen
first?
A. COPD client with O2 saturation of 91%
B. Client with chest pain radiating to the jaw
C. Diabetic client with fasting glucose of 110 mg/dL
D. Client with UTI requesting pain meds
✅ Correct Answer: B. Client with chest pain radiating to the jaw
Rationale: Classic sign of MI. Chest pain is always a high-priority situation
requiring immediate action.
,4. Which client is the best candidate for assignment to a float nurse from the
surgical unit?
A. A client receiving chemotherapy
B. A client with new-onset seizures
C. A client scheduled for routine wound dressing
D. A client in labor
✅ Correct Answer: C. A client scheduled for routine wound dressing
Rationale: This task matches the float nurse’s skill set. Unstable or specialty
clients need experienced unit nurses.
5. Which action by the LPN requires intervention by the RN?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Documenting vital signs
C. Starting an IV line
D. Teaching a client about warfarin side effects
✅ Correct Answer: D. Teaching a client about warfarin side effects
Rationale: Client education is the RN’s responsibility. LPNs can reinforce but not
initiate teaching.
, 6. A nurse is making rounds. Which client should be assessed first?
A. A client with a cast requesting pain meds
B. A client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L
C. A client who is scheduled for discharge
D. A client ambulating for the first time post-op
✅ Correct Answer: B. A client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias and requires immediate
evaluation and intervention.
7. Which task can the RN safely delegate to the LPN?
A. Developing a plan of care
B. Evaluating IV therapy effectiveness
C. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
D. Performing initial client assessment
✅ Correct Answer: C. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
Rationale: LPNs can reinforce pre-taught material but not initiate or assess
teaching.
