A client in the psychiatric unit's dayroom is becoming agitated, talking incessantly, and starting to yell and swear at the other clients.

Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement first?

"I will be back in 30 minutes to help you get out of bed and walk around the room today.”.

Choice B rationale:

Telling the client that she must ambulate to avoid complications (Choice B) may be true, but it comes across as authoritarian and may further upset the client. It is essential to address the client's feelings of anger and approach the situation with empathy and understanding.

Choice C rationale:

Acknowledging the client's anger about the pain of ambulation (Choice C) is a good start, but it is not enough. The nurse should follow up with a plan to assist and encourage the client to walk later, promoting collaboration in the healing process.

Choice D rationale:

Informing the client about specific instructions to ambulate (Choice D) is important, but the response lacks empathy and fails to address the client's feelings. The nurse needs to consider the client's mental disability and approach the situation with sensitivity.

The correct answer is **b. Oral feeding of a two-year-old child after application of a hip spica cast.**

Choice A rationale:

Participation in staff rounds to record notes regarding client goals is not an appropriate task to delegate to a UAP. This task requires clinical assessment, judgment, and documentation skills that are within the scope of practice of a licensed practical nurse (PN), but not a UAP.

Choice B rationale:

Oral feeding of a two-year-old child after application of a hip spica cast is an appropriate task that the PN can delegate to a UAP. Feeding a stable patient is a routine task that does not require advanced nursing skills or clinical judgment. As long as the child is not at high risk for complications, this task can be safely delegated to a UAP with proper training and supervision.

Choice C rationale:

Evaluation of a client's incisional pain following narcotic administration is not an appropriate task to delegate to a UAP. This task requires clinical assessment, evaluation of medication effects, and critical thinking skills that are within the scope of practice of a PN, but not a UAP.

Choice D rationale:

Assessment of the placement and patency of a nasogastric feeding tube is not an appropriate task to delegate to a UAP. This task requires specialized nursing skills and clinical judgment to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the feeding tube. It is within the scope of practice of a PN, but not a UAP.