A nurse in an acute care setting is planning care for a group of clients at the beginning of the shift. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the assistive personnel (AP)?
Removal of the nasogastric tube of a client who has been receiving enteral feedings
Monitoring vital signs of a client who had an appendectomy 12 hr ago
Application of antibiotic ointment to the arm of a client who has dermatitis
Obtaining medical history information from a stable client who is being admitted
The Correct Answer is B
Rationale:
A. Removal of the nasogastric tube is a more complex task that typically requires the nurse’s assessment and judgment.
B. Monitoring vital signs is within the scope of tasks that can be assigned to assistive personnel. This task involves routine observation and does not require complex decision-making.
C. Application of antibiotic ointment requires specific knowledge about the condition and treatment, which is generally performed by a nurse.
D. Obtaining medical history information is a task that requires clinical judgment and interaction, and should be done by a nurse rather than an assistive personnel.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing Decision Tree provides guidance for decision-making but does not specifically address delegation.
B. The state Nurse Practice Act defines the scope of practice for RNs and LPNs and is essential for understanding what tasks can be delegated.
C. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 primarily pertains to nursing home regulations and does not directly address task delegation.
D. The National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services focuses on LPN education and standards, but the state Nurse Practice Act is more directly relevant to delegation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Encouraging clients to receive an annual flu immunization is a cost-effective measure to prevent illness and reduce overall healthcare costs.
B. Waiting to empty a drainable colostomy until it is three-fourths full might not be the best practice for client comfort or prevention of leakage.
C. Recommending sterile technique for home care is important for infection prevention but not necessarily a cost-reduction strategy in the healthcare setting.
D. Delegating closed irrigation to AP may not be appropriate if it involves tasks beyond their scope of practice and does not directly relate to cost reduction.