A nurse is delegating client care assignments for the shift. Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
Teach a client about low-sodium foods.
Measure and record intake and output for a client.
Perform wound irrigation for a client.
Evaluate pain relief for a client following the administration of a pain medication.
The Correct Answer is B
Rationale
A. Teaching about low-sodium foods requires specialized knowledge and should be performed by an RN.
B. Measuring and recording intake and output can be done by an AP, as it involves routine data collection rather than clinical judgment.
C. Wound irrigation is a more complex procedure that requires clinical skills and should be performed by an RN or LPN.
D. Evaluating pain relief involves clinical assessment and judgment, which is beyond the scope of an AP.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A client who is 3 days postoperative following a craniotomy requires careful monitoring due to potential complications from brain surgery, so vital signs should be taken by a nurse.
B. A client who is 3 days postoperative following gastric bypass surgery is stable enough for an AP to obtain vital signs, as the risk of immediate postoperative complications is lower compared to more recent surgeries.
C. A client who is 2 hr postoperative following an abdominal hysterectomy requires close monitoring due to the recent surgery, so vital signs should be obtained by a nurse.
D. A client who is 1 hr postoperative following a thyroidectomy requires vigilant monitoring for potential complications from recent surgery, which should be done by a nurse.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Reassuring the partner is important for emotional support but does not directly impact the immediate safety of clients.
B. Reinforcing a dressing is important for wound care but does not address urgent concerns.
C. Taking a telephone prescription is necessary but not as immediate as addressing a potential complication.
D. Assessing a client with unilateral calf pain is the priority as it may indicate a serious condition such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which requires immediate evaluation and intervention.