A client with obstructive sleep apnea is preparing for sleep. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?

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.

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Enrolling the UAP in a hospital education class on conducting safe client care is not an immediate response and does not address the current situation. It may be a longer-term solution for ongoing education.

Choice B rationale: Praising the UAP for performing oral hygiene and encouraging family participation does not address the immediate safety concern of the procedure being performed correctly.

Choice C rationale: Telling the UAP to continue because the unconscious client is positioned safely is incorrect. The client should not be in a flat side-lying position as it increases the risk of aspiration during oral hygiene.

Choice D rationale: Stopping the procedure and telling the UAP to place the client in a Fowler's position is correct. The Fowler's position helps maintain an open airway and reduces the risk of aspiration during oral hygiene in an unconscious client.