Share This Link

Prioritize the delivery of patient care for your patients is correct practice because safe nursing care requires determining which needs are most urgent. Using principles such as the ABCs, Maslow’s hierarchy, and recognition of time-sensitive interventions helps ensure that the most critical patient needs are addressed first.

Apply knowledge of pathophysiology when establishing interventions and priorities is correct because understanding disease processes allows the nurse to anticipate complications, interpret assessment findings correctly, and plan appropriate interventions. This clinical reasoning supports safe, effective prioritization.

Evaluate the plan of care for your patients and revise the plan of care as needed is correct because ongoing evaluation is a key step in the nursing process. Patient conditions can change rapidly, and the plan of care must be updated to reflect new findings, responses to treatment, or provider orders. This ensures the care plan remains accurate and effective.

Multitask wherever possible is incorrect because multitasking reduces efficiency and increases the risk of errors. In management and patient care, multitasking can lead to incomplete tasks, miscommunication, and reduced attention to safety-critical activities.

Keep the highest priority task for the end of the day is incorrect because priority tasks should be completed early when energy, attention, and time availability are highest. Delaying essential or high-risk tasks increases the chance they will be rushed, missed, or poorly completed.

Avoid changing the list once initial planning is completed is incorrect because flexibility is crucial. New issues, unexpected events, and shifting priorities occur throughout the day. A rigid list prevents the manager from adapting to new needs, reducing effectiveness and safety.

Underestimating time and effort needed for a task is incorrect because people who routinely underestimate how long tasks will take often end up behind schedule, rushing, or missing deadlines. This leads to increased stress, poor-quality work, and inefficient use of time. Effective time management relies on realistic assessment of workload to allocate time appropriately.

Not understanding time planning is incorrect because a lack of basic time-management skills such as prioritizing, creating schedules, and organizing tasks prevents an individual from using time effectively. Without understanding how to plan, a person may become overwhelmed, disorganized, or reactive rather than proactive in managing daily responsibilities.

Multitasking whenever possible is incorrect because multitasking often decreases productivity rather than increasing it. Switching between tasks disrupts concentration, increases the likelihood of mistakes, and lengthens the time needed to finish each activity. This is the opposite of using time wisely and is linked to scattered attention and incomplete tasks.

Conduct a new employee's initial performance review is incorrect because performance reviews are important but not urgent. They can be scheduled in advance and planned for later in the day or week. They do not require immediate attention and therefore do not belong in the “do now” category.

Add follow-up comments to an incident report from the previous day is incorrect because this is an important documentation task, but it is not time-critical. There is generally a reasonable window for completing follow-up information, and it does not pose an immediate risk to patient safety if delayed.

Meet with the chairperson of the hospital’s strategic planning committee is incorrect because strategic planning meetings are scheduled events that can be rescheduled if needed. They are long-term, non-urgent administrative responsibilities, not immediate patient-care priorities.

Large, time-consuming tasks is incorrect because tasks that take a long time are not necessarily urgent. “Do now” tasks are prioritized based on immediacy and impact, not size or duration. Large tasks can often be scheduled for later if they are not time-sensitive.

Tasks that could be delegated is incorrect because delegation refers to assigning tasks to others rather than completing them immediately. While some “do now” tasks can be delegated, the defining feature is urgency and importance, not whether someone else can do them.

Issues related to long-term goals is incorrect because long-term goals involve planning and strategy that are important but not urgent. These tasks are generally scheduled for later and do not belong in the “do now” category, which focuses on immediate needs and priorities.

Demonstrating professional nursing behavior is incorrect because while timely documentation reflects professionalism, the primary reason is related to patient safety and accuracy, not just professional appearance.

Observing an established nursing principle is incorrect because following nursing principles is important, but this option is too vague. The key concern with documentation is accuracy and patient safety, not merely adhering to general principles.

Implementing effective time management skills is incorrect because while documenting promptly can support workflow, time management is secondary. The primary reason is to reduce errors and ensure accurate patient records.

The cost was anticipated is incorrect because anticipating or predicting the cost of a service does not necessarily mean the service is cost-effective. A service can be anticipated and budgeted for, but if it does not provide sufficient benefit relative to its cost, it is not considered cost-effective. Cost-effectiveness involves comparing cost to value or benefit, not simply planning for expense.

It is the least expensive service available is incorrect because the lowest price does not always equal cost-effectiveness. A service could be inexpensive but of poor quality, resulting in additional costs later (e.g., replacing damaged linens, extra labor, or negative impact on resident satisfaction). True cost-effectiveness considers both quality and expense, not just price.

It is reimbursable is incorrect because reimbursement pertains to whether a service qualifies for payment through insurance or other funding sources. Cost-effectiveness is independent of reimbursement; it focuses on achieving maximum benefit or value for the resources spent. A service can be cost-effective even if it is not reimbursed, and vice versa.

Supplies and equipment is incorrect because while supplies and equipment are necessary for care delivery, their costs are generally smaller relative to personnel expenses. Supplies are considered recurring operational costs, and equipment is often purchased as part of the capital budget.

The operating budget is incorrect because the operating budget includes day-to-day expenses like utilities, rent, and minor supplies. Although important, it does not typically exceed personnel costs in magnitude.

Short-term capital acquisitions is incorrect because short-term capital expenditures, such as small equipment or minor renovations, require less funding compared to staffing. Capital costs are planned for separately and are usually limited relative to ongoing personnel expenses.

A child who requires physical therapy to recover following hospitalization is incorrect because needing a specific medical service does not automatically qualify a client for Medicaid. Eligibility is primarily based on income and financial need, not on the type of care required.

A Native American client who lives on a reservation is incorrect because healthcare for Native Americans living on reservations is generally provided through the Indian Health Service (IHS). While some may qualify for Medicaid, residency on a reservation alone does not guarantee eligibility.

A veteran who sustained injuries in combat is incorrect because veterans typically receive healthcare through the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. Medicaid is not automatically available based on veteran status; eligibility depends on income, disability, and state-specific criteria.

The Nursing Standards of Practice is incorrect because these standards provide guidance on quality of care and professional responsibilities but do not legally define scope of practice. They serve as a reference for safe, competent nursing practice rather than legal authority.

The Code of Ethics is incorrect because the Code of Ethics outlines ethical principles and professional values for nurses. While important for guiding behavior, it does not define legal scope of practice or resolve disputes over specific tasks such as medication administration.

The Attorney General's Office is incorrect because this office handles legal matters at the state level but is not the primary resource for clarifying nursing practice regulations. Consulting them would not provide direct guidance on the legal scope of nursing duties.