The RN and certified nursing assistant/patient care assistance (CNA/PCA) are caring for five clients on a medical/surgical unit. Which of the following tasks would be most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the CNA/PCA?
Performing chest percussion on a client with atelectasis
Auscultate lungs on a client with audible wheezing
Taking vital signs on a male client with severe dyspnea
Suctioning a client with hemoptysis (bloody sputum)
Setting up a meal tray for a client with COPD
The Correct Answer is E
A. Chest percussion is a specialized skill that should be performed by a nurse or respiratory therapist due to the risk of complications.
B. Lung auscultation requires assessment skills and clinical judgment, which is within the RN’s scope of practice, not the CNA’s.
C. Taking vital signs on a client with severe dyspnea may require immediate interpretation and intervention, best handled by an RN.
D. Suctioning requires skill and knowledge of the procedure and potential complications, which should be performed by the RN.
E. Setting up a meal tray is an appropriate task for a CNA, as it does not require nursing judgment and supports the client’s nutritional needs.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A pulse of 60 is low but does not necessarily indicate a need to stop suctioning if the patient remains stable otherwise.
B. A pulse of 90 is within normal limits and does not require stopping suctioning.
C. An oxygen saturation of 92% is slightly low but still acceptable; suctioning can continue if the client is stable.
D. An oxygen saturation of 89% is below the acceptable threshold and indicates hypoxia, prompting the nurse to stop suctioning immediately to avoid further compromising the client's respiratory status.
E. A blood pressure of 130/80 is within normal limits and does not warrant cessation of suctioning.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. S1 and S2 heard with the diaphragm of the stethoscope is a normal finding, as these are the expected heart sounds.
B. A blowing sound heard over the mitral area with the bell of the stethoscope suggests a possible murmur, which could indicate valvular abnormalities and is considered abnormal.
C. Apical pulse palpated at the 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line is normal and expected in adults.
D. Absence of sound over carotid arteries with the bell of the stethoscope indicates no bruits and is considered normal.