Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: NCLEX Practice, 4th Ed

Why This Book Matters

Every nursing student faces the same challenge on the NCLEX: knowing the content is only half the battle. The real test is clinical judgment—deciding which patient to see first, which task to delegate, and how to assign care effectively. Without dedicated practice, these high-stakes skills remain abstract. Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination, Fourth Edition fills exactly that gap.

This book is not a textbook. It is a skill-building workout designed to sharpen your ability to prioritize competing patient needs, delegate tasks appropriately, and assign care to the right team members. The NCLEX prioritizes these competencies, and this resource gives you the targeted practice you need to excel.

What Is Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination?

This is a dedicated practice workbook authored by Linda A. LaCharity, Candice K. Kumagai, and Barbara Bartz—all experienced nursing educators. Published by Elsevier in 2019, this Fourth Edition contains hundreds of exercises organized by difficulty and topic. Each exercise presents a realistic clinical scenario requiring you to apply prioritization, delegation, or assignment principles.

The book systematically builds your skills: starting with basic concepts, then moving to increasingly complex multi-patient situations. It includes answer keys with rationales so you understand why one action is correct over another. This is not about memorization—it’s about developing the clinical reasoning that the NCLEX now demands.

Who Will Benefit Most

This book is essential for any nursing student preparing for the NCLEX-RN® or NCLEX-PN®. It is especially valuable for:

• Students in their final semester of nursing school
• Graduates preparing for the licensing exam
• International nurses seeking U.S. licensure
• New graduates transitioning to practice who want to strengthen delegation skills
• Any nurse refreshing clinical judgment for career advancement

If you struggle with “which patient do I see first?” or “what can I delegate to the LPN?” this book is your solution.

Skills You Will Gain

This workbook covers the most critical NCLEX competencies. After completing the exercises, you will be able to:

1. Apply prioritization frameworks such as Maslow’s hierarchy and the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) to rank patient needs.
2. Delegate tasks appropriately to LPNs, UAPs, and other team members based on scope of practice and patient stability.
3. Assign patient care effectively by matching patient acuity with staff skill levels.
4. Manage multiple patients simultaneously, making safe decisions about who to assess first.
5. Recognize subtle changes in patient condition that require immediate intervention versus those that can wait.
6. Communicate clearly during handoffs and team updates using SBAR and other frameworks.
7. Identify unsafe delegation scenarios and know how to respond professionally.

What Sets It Apart

Many NCLEX review books cover content, but few focus exclusively on the higher-order thinking skills tested in the prioritization and delegation questions. Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment is unique because it is entirely practice-based. You don’t just read about prioritization—you apply it repeatedly in realistic scenarios.

Compared to general NCLEX prep books like Saunders or Kaplan, this workbook provides deeper, more focused repetition. The exercises mimic the NCLEX’s “select all that apply” and “ordered response” formats. The answer rationales are detailed, explaining not just the correct answer but also why the distractors are wrong—a feature that builds lasting clinical judgment.

Furthermore, the Fourth Edition incorporates updated content reflecting the latest NCLEX test plan and clinical practice guidelines. No other book offers this concentrated practice specifically for prioritization, delegation, and assignment.

Author & Publisher Credentials

Linda A. LaCharity, PhD, RN, is a recognized expert in nursing education and author of multiple NCLEX preparation resources. Candice K. Kumagai, MSN, RN, brings extensive clinical and teaching experience, while Barbara Bartz adds a wealth of expertise in nursing leadership and delegation. Their combined credentials ensure the content is both educationally sound and clinically relevant.

Elsevier is one of the world’s leading publishers of health science content, known for rigorous editorial standards and adherence to evidence-based practice. The Fourth Edition of this workbook has been carefully updated to align with current NCLEX terminology and standards. This institutional backing gives you confidence that the material is accurate and trustworthy.

The Bottom Line

Absolutely. For nursing students who want to master the most challenging part of the NCLEX, this book is an investment in passing. The focused practice, clear rationales, and progressive difficulty make it an indispensable tool. Many students report that after working through these exercises, they feel significantly more confident in their clinical decision-making.

This book is not a comprehensive NCLEX review—it’s a targeted supplement. If you already have a solid content foundation, this workbook will elevate your performance on the prioritization and delegation questions that often determine pass/fail. It is a small price to pay for the confidence and competence it builds.

Get Your Copy Today

You have spent months learning nursing content. Now it is time to train your brain to think like a nurse under pressure. The Fourth Edition of this essential workbook is available now from Elsevier. Whether you are a soon-to-graduate student or a new graduate preparing for the NCLEX, this book gives you the edge you need.

Add to cart now and start practicing the skills that will make you a safe, effective nurse. With Elsevier’s trusted name and the expertise of LaCharity, Kumagai, and Bartz, you are investing in your future. Order today and take the first step toward NCLEX success.