A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for total parenteral nutrition with fat emulsion. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Rationale:

A. A client who requests assistance to use the bedside commode: This is a routine activity that falls within the scope of practice for assistive personnel. As long as the AP follows standard safety procedures, there is no immediate need to report this to the nurse.

B. A client who requests to sit in the bedside chair while watching TV: Allowing a client to sit up in a chair is within the AP’s role, provided the client is stable and fall precautions are followed. It does not require nurse notification unless there are complications.

C. A client who has a prescription for compression stockings and did not receive them: This indicates a potential lapse in prescribed therapy, which could increase the risk of complications like deep vein thrombosis. The nurse must be informed to evaluate and correct the omission promptly.

D. A client who consumes all the food from their meal tray: Reporting full meal consumption is not necessary unless the client is on a monitored diet or has specific nutritional concerns. In most cases, this is expected and requires only standard documentation.

Rationale:

A. You should not delegate this task because it requires nursing judgment: Weighing clients is a routine, non-invasive task that does not involve clinical decision-making. It does not require nursing judgment and is appropriate for delegation if the AP is competent.

B. You can delegate this task to an AP for new clients before performing a nursing assessment: Initial assessments must be performed by a licensed nurse. Weighing can be part of the assessment, but the nurse should first evaluate the client to determine whether delegation is appropriate.

C. You can delegate this task if the AP has been trained to use our scales: Delegation depends on the AP’s competence and familiarity with facility equipment. If trained, the AP can safely and accurately weigh clients, freeing the nurse for tasks requiring professional judgment.

D. You should not delegate this task because you have the capability to obtain clients weights: Delegation decisions should be based on scope of practice and task appropriateness, not whether the nurse is physically able to perform the task. Efficient delegation supports safe and effective care delivery.