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)?

Choice A rationale:

Setting target dates for completion is an important step, but it should come after goals and objectives have been established. Goals and objectives provide the foundation for developing a timeline and action plan.

Choice B rationale:

Identifying areas of support is valuable, but it's not the next immediate action after developing the initial plan. Before seeking support, the nurse should clarify the goals and objectives to ensure that the support is aligned with the intended outcomes.

Choice C rationale:

Determining goals and objectives is the next logical step after developing the initial plan. Goals and objectives help guide the committee's work and ensure that the policy revisions are purposeful and aligned with the desired outcomes.

Choice D rationale:

Implementing recommended strategies is a subsequent action that follows the establishment of goals and objectives. Without clear goals and objectives, the strategies might lack direction and cohesiveness.

Choice A rationale:

Reporting the findings to the hospital ethics committee is not the appropriate action in this scenario. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a clinical issue related to patient care and safety, not an ethical concern. The hospital ethics committee is generally responsible for addressing ethical dilemmas and conflicts.

Choice B rationale:

Alerting central supply is not the correct action in this situation. Central supply typically handles the procurement and distribution of medical supplies, equipment, and materials. While maintaining proper equipment and supplies is important, addressing VAP requires a focus on infection prevention and patient care practices.

Choice C rationale:

Filling out an incident report is not the best course of action for addressing an increase in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Incident reports are typically used to document unexpected events, accidents, or errors that occur in the healthcare setting. However, addressing the rise in VAP involves implementing measures to prevent and control infections, which falls under the purview of the quality improvement team.

Choice D rationale:

The correct action is to notify the quality improvement team. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a healthcare-associated infection that can lead to serious complications for patients on ventilators. The quality improvement team is responsible for monitoring and improving the quality of patient care, including infection prevention and control. By notifying the quality improvement team, the nurse manager can initiate a comprehensive review of current practices, identify potential areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of VAP.