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 C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Inform the state medical board for an immediate investigation is not the initial step; concerns should first be reported to appropriate facility personnel.
B. Counsel the provider to determine the cause of the substance abuse is not the nurse’s role; this is a serious issue that requires reporting rather than counseling.
C. Notify the nursing supervisor of the concerns is the appropriate initial step to address the issue according to facility protocol.
D. Encourage clients to change to a different provider is not within the nurse’s scope of practice for handling the provider's behavior and does not address the root issue.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Analyzing data to identify issues for a client who has uncontrolled diabetes mellitus requires a higher level of clinical judgment and is typically performed by an RN.
B. Assisting a client with crutch walking following knee replacement surgery is an appropriate task for an LPN, as it involves support with activities of daily living and mobility.
C. Evaluating the outcomes of a new postoperative client involves assessing the effectiveness of care and requires RN-level assessment skills.
D. Developing the plan of care for a client who has an amputation involves comprehensive assessment and planning, which is usually the responsibility of an RN.