A charge nurse is planning client care assignments for a unit. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

The correct answer isChoice C.

Choice A rationale:

Instructing a client on how to take their blood pressure is a task that involves providing education to the client on a non-invasive procedure that they can perform independently. However, this task requires a certain level of knowledge and understanding that an assistive personnel (AP) may not possess. Therefore, it is not the best task to delegate to an AP.

Choice B rationale:

Administering subcutaneous medications to a client is a task that requires a high level of skill and knowledge. It involves understanding the medication, its side effects, and the correct administration technique. This is a task that should be performed by a nurse or a healthcare professional with the appropriate training and licensure. Delegating this task to an AP could potentially put the client’s health at risk.

Choice C rationale:

Determining a client’s intake and output is a task that can be delegated to an AP.This task does not require the use of the nursing process and is within the range of function of an AP. It involves measuring and recording the amount of fluid a client consumes and excretes, which is a task that an AP is capable of performing.

Choice D rationale:

Providing a status update to a client’s family member is a task that requires a high level of discretion and understanding of the client’s condition. It involves communicating sensitive information about the client’s health status, which should be done by a nurse or a healthcare professional with the appropriate training and licensure. Delegating this task to an AP could potentially lead to miscommunication or a breach of the client’s privacy.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not include the client's dressing change schedule in the verbal report when transferring care to the medical-surgical unit. While this information is important for the client's care, it is not a priority for the receiving unit to know during the immediate transfer. Dressing change schedules can vary based on the type of surgery and wound healing progress, and the medical-surgical unit will focus on the client's overall condition.

Choice B rationale:

The client's level of consciousness is a critical piece of information to include in the verbal report when transferring care. Changes in level of consciousness can indicate neurological deterioration or potential complications, especially after a major surgery like open heart surgery. This information helps the receiving nurses monitor the client's condition closely and respond appropriately if any deterioration occurs.

Choice C rationale:

While reporting the client's vital signs from the previous shift is important, it might not be the most relevant information during the immediate transfer from the postoperative unit to the medical-surgical unit. Vital signs can change rapidly, and the receiving nurses will assess the client's current vital signs upon arrival. Therefore, this information is not the priority for the verbal report.

Choice D rationale:

The client's occupation is not a critical piece of information to include in the verbal report during a transfer from the postoperative unit to the medical-surgical unit. The primary focus of the transfer report should be on the client's immediate postoperative condition, potential complications, and any other information directly related to their current medical status.