RN Nursing · Priority Setting and Time Management · Practice question
The nurse is working on a busy medical-surgical unit with multiple clients requiring care. Which of the following actions demonstrates an effective time management strategy?
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Accepting additional tasks from coworkers to be helpful and supportive
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✓
Taking all necessary supplies to a patient's room
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Completing documentation at the end of the shift to avoid interruptions
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Responding to call lights in the order they are received
Answer & explanation
Correct: Taking all necessary supplies to a patient's room
Taking all necessary supplies to a patient's room before beginning care is an effective time management strategy because it eliminates the need to leave mid-task to retrieve forgotten items, reducing interruptions and saving valuable time on a busy unit. Batching supplies in advance is a core principle of efficient nursing workflow. Accepting additional tasks from coworkers indiscriminately is not an effective strategy — it can lead to task overload, errors, and failure to prioritize one's own assigned clients appropriately. Completing documentation only at the end of the shift is dangerous because it relies on memory and can result in inaccurate records; point-of-care documentation is preferred. Responding to call lights strictly in the order received ignores clinical priority — a client with chest pain must be seen before one requesting a blanket, regardless of call-light order. The ability to anticipate needs and organize tasks before entering a room is a well-established strategy taught in nursing time management curricula to maximize efficiency and client safety.
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