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 C
Explanation
A. A barrel chest is a common finding in patients with emphysema due to lung hyperinflation but is not immediately life-threatening.
B. A respiratory rate of 22 per minute indicates mild tachypnea, which can be expected in patients with COPD, but is not the most alarming sign.
C. Oral cyanosis is a concerning sign that indicates inadequate oxygenation and can suggest severe respiratory distress or failure, necessitating immediate intervention.
D. Decreased lung sounds on expiration can occur in emphysema but is not as critical as the presence of cyanosis.
E. Pursed-lip expiration is a compensatory mechanism used by patients with COPD to improve breathing efficiency; it is generally a positive adaptive strategy.
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
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.