A nurse is caring for a group of clients and identifying what tasks she can delegate to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to an AP?
Administer a glycerin suppository to a client.
Provide home care instructions to a client's family member.
Suction a client's newly inserted tracheostomy.
Perform rescue breathing for a client who becomes unresponsive.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Administering a suppository is considered a medication administration task, which requires a licensed nurse to perform. This task involves critical thinking and a solid understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as the potential for adverse reactions. Therefore, this cannot be delegated to an assistive personnel (AP), whose scope of practice does not include medication administration.
Choice B rationale
Providing home care instructions is part of client education, which is a key responsibility of a licensed nurse. This task requires a thorough understanding of the client's condition, treatment plan, and the ability to assess their learning needs. An AP is not trained to assess, plan, or implement teaching plans for clients, so this task is outside their scope of practice.
Choice C rationale
Suctioning a newly inserted tracheostomy is a skilled and invasive procedure that carries a high risk of complications, such as hypoxemia, trauma, or infection. This procedure requires a nurse's professional judgment and a clear understanding of sterile technique. The AP's role is to provide basic care, not to perform such complex and high-risk procedures.
Choice D rationale
Performing rescue breathing, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is an emergency procedure that falls within the scope of an AP's training. All healthcare workers, including APs, are required to have a basic life support certification. In a medical emergency, every staff member is expected to perform basic life-saving measures, such as rescue breathing, to prevent further client harm. *.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Based on the client's statements, there is strong evidence of neglect and potential exploitation. Neglect is indicated by the inadequate food supply and minimal meal preparation. Financial exploitation is suggested by the client's lack of access to their retirement income, despite it being used for their care. This situation poses a serious risk to the client's well-being, triggering the nurse's ethical and legal duty to report suspected elder abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Choice B rationale
While gathering more information is often a good practice, directly questioning the adult child about financial matters could escalate the situation and potentially put the client at further risk. The primary responsibility of the nurse in this scenario is to ensure the client's safety, and the existing information is sufficient to warrant a report. The client has already provided a detailed account of the financial arrangement and their lack of access to funds, which is a key indicator of exploitation.
Choice C rationale
Educating the adult child about nutrition, while potentially helpful in some circumstances, does not address the immediate and serious issues of neglect and financial exploitation. The client's safety is the priority. Focusing solely on education ignores the broader pattern of abuse and the client's vulnerability, which requires a more direct and protective intervention.
Choice D rationale
Encouraging the client to speak with their adult child may place them in a more vulnerable position and could increase the risk of retaliation or further neglect. The client has already expressed an understanding of their adult child's frustration, and this approach fails to address the power imbalance and exploitative nature of the relationship. It is not an appropriate or safe intervention in a situation of suspected abuse. *.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale: A protective environment is typically indicated for immunocompromised clients, such as those with neutropenia or undergoing chemotherapy, not for uncomplicated anemia. The toddler’s white blood cell count is within the normal range of 5,000 to 10,000/mm³, and no evidence of infection risk or severe immunodeficiency is present. Pallor and low hemoglobin are consistent with iron deficiency anemia, which does not require isolation precautions unless additional hematologic compromise is identified.
Choice B rationale: Blood transfusions are reserved for cases of severe anemia with hemodynamic instability, cardiac compromise, or hemoglobin levels below 7 g/dL. This toddler’s hemoglobin is 8.1 g/dL, which while low, does not meet transfusion threshold in a stable, asymptomatic pediatric patient. Transfusion carries risks like iron overload and alloimmunization, making it inappropriate for mild to moderate anemia. Instead, correction through dietary modification and iron supplementation is preferred for age-related iron-deficiency anemia.
Choice C rationale: Iron supplementation is the standard therapy for iron deficiency anemia, especially in toddlers consuming excessive cow’s milk, which lacks iron and can cause occult intestinal blood loss. Hemoglobin of 8.1 g/dL is below the normal pediatric range of 9.5 to 14 g/dL, confirming anemia. Iron replenishment stimulates erythropoiesis by enabling hemoglobin synthesis. Supplementation corrects deficiency over time and should be paired with dietary education to limit milk to <24 oz/day and include iron-rich foods.
Choice D rationale: Continuing antibiotics is unnecessary unless there is ongoing infection. The toddler has recently completed antibiotic therapy for otitis media, and current symptoms do not suggest infection recurrence. Vital signs are stable and the white blood cell count is within normal limits (5,000–10,000/mm³), indicating no acute bacterial process. Antibiotic overuse may disrupt gut flora, impair iron absorption, and contribute to resistant bacterial strains, which is contraindicated in this clinical scenario.
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