NCLEX Priority Triage Practice questions
The PrepScore bank has 138 Priority Triage Practice questions, each with a rationale and two tags: the Client Needs category from the test plan and the clinical judgment step it tests. In this topic the items lean on Prioritize hypotheses and Take action, which is worth knowing before you practise it. Three worked samples are below, answers behind a reveal.
Multi-client priority scenarios across med-surg, ED, ICU, peds, L&D, tele, PACU, step-down, float, mass casualty — pure NCLEX-style 'who do you see first' practice.
Three worked questions
Q1. In an ED, which client should be seen FIRST using ESI triage?
- A. A child with a 102°F fever + sore throat
- B. A 60yo with chest pain + diaphoresis + SOB
- C. A 25yo with ankle sprain
- D. A 40yo requesting medication refill
Show answer and rationale
Answer: A 60yo with chest pain + diaphoresis + SOB
ESI Level 1-2: life threats + high-risk presentations (possible STEMI). Sees first.
Q2. Three new admits arrive simultaneously. Who is seen FIRST?
- A. Stable post-op hip ORIF
- B. New pneumonia + RR 32 + SpO2 86%
- C. Cellulitis on PO antibiotics
- D. Routine medical workup
Show answer and rationale
Answer: New pneumonia + RR 32 + SpO2 86%
ABC priority — new pneumonia + RR 32 + SpO2 86% = active respiratory distress + hypoxia (BREATHING compromise — highest acuity). Stable post-op hip, cellulitis on PO antibiotics, and routine workup don't have airway/breathing/circulation compromise.
Q3. In a disaster mass casualty event, which color tag indicates IMMEDIATE intervention?
- A. Black
- B. Red
- C. Yellow
- D. Green
Show answer and rationale
Answer: Red
START triage: Red = immediate (life-threat but salvageable). Black = expectant/deceased. Yellow = delayed. Green = walking wounded.
The rules that decide these questions
From the pack's rule cards — the reasoning shortcuts a wrong answer usually means you were missing.
On a med-surg unit, prioritize patients with acute deterioration (peritonitis, sepsis, hemorrhage, post-op bleed/leak), then evolving complications, then stable patients needing routine care, then discharge tasks (teaching, paperwork). Throughput / bed flow is not a clinical priority — acute physiology comes first.
Emergency Severity Index ranks by potential life threat + resource needs. Cardiac/vascular emergency (chest pain + diaphoresis = MI / aortic dissection) > head injury / mental status change (subdural / abuse) > evolving sepsis > stable asthma > minor wound. Anxious family or 'squeaky wheel' does NOT change priority — physiology drives.
ICU rounding priority is driven by trajectory. Worsening organ failure (rising lactate + falling MAP) = NOW. Pending crisis (controlled status epilepticus, post-extubation watch) = SOON. Stable acute (post-CABG day 1 stable) = ROUTINE. Scheduled family meetings + administrative tasks = NOT priority over acute deterioration.
Obstetric priority: fetal heart rate ≤ 70 sustained or cord prolapse with bleeding = EMERGENCY (lift presenting part, knee-chest, emergent c-section). PPH > 1000 mL = next. Improving on treatment (Mg for preeclampsia) = monitor. Stable labor = routine support. Severity of diagnosis ≠ current acuity if patient is improving on treatment.
On telemetry: symptomatic complete heart block + syncope + low BP = PACING (atropine often ineffective in CHB below AV node). Non-sustained VT in conscious patient = workup (12-lead + troponin + electrolytes). Asymptomatic drug-induced brady = hold drug + monitor. Stable chronic A-fib = routine. Drama of rhythm name ≠ priority — patient symptoms do.
PACU patients with respiratory depression (RR ≤ 10 + sedation) = pre-arrest, stop opioid + titrated naloxone. Post-thyroid throat tightness + perioral numbness = hypocalcemia + airway threat — calcium gluconate ready, airway team. Severe pain in awake patient = treat next. Transfer-ready patient = last. Bed flow is not the priority driver.
Practise the whole pack, tagged and explained
Every item carries its Client Needs category and clinical judgment step, so a wrong answer names the step that failed.
Frequently asked questions
How many Priority Triage Practice questions does the bank have?
138 multiple-choice items, plus 10 unfolding cases in the Priority Triage Practice pack, each with a rationale.
Are the samples real bank items?
Yes — the three questions above are drawn from the live bank, with their real rationales and tags.
Which clinical judgment steps does this topic train?
Most items in this topic test Prioritize hypotheses and Take action, though every step appears.
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