A nurse is caring for residents at a long-term care facility following a tornado. Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel?

A) Asking a staff member from another unit to complete the evaluation: While involving someone from another unit may offer an external perspective, it may not necessarily ensure impartiality. The evaluator should have direct knowledge of the nurse's performance to provide a fair assessment.

B) Focusing primarily on areas that need improvement: This approach may lead to a biased evaluation, as it overlooks the nurse's strengths and positive contributions. A comprehensive evaluation should consider both areas of strength and areas needing improvement to provide a balanced assessment.

C) Discussing the evaluation with the nurse manager: Consulting with the nurse manager about the evaluation could introduce bias, especially if the manager has preconceived notions about the nurse being evaluated. Peer evaluations should aim to be independent of managerial influence to maintain impartiality.

D) Linking the evaluation to predetermined standards: This is the correct approach to ensure impartiality in peer evaluation. By using predetermined standards or criteria, the evaluation process becomes objective and transparent. Evaluators can assess the nurse's performance against established benchmarks, reducing the influence of personal bias.

A. Delegate low-skilled tasks to assistive personnel.

Delegating low-skilled tasks to assistive personnel is not consistent with the total patient care delivery method. In this model, the nurse assumes responsibility for providing comprehensive care to a smaller number of patients rather than delegating tasks to others. The nurse remains directly involved in all aspects of patient care, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

B. Receive cross-training in multiple departments

Receiving cross-training in multiple departments may be beneficial in some healthcare settings but is not a characteristic of the total patient care delivery method. This model focuses on nurses providing individualized care to a specific group of patients within their assigned unit. Cross-training in multiple departments would not align with this model, as it could lead to divided attention and potentially compromise the quality of care provided.

C. Perform a specific nursing task for a group of clients.

Performing a specific nursing task for a group of clients is not consistent with the total patient care delivery method. In this model, the nurse is responsible for providing comprehensive care to a smaller number of patients, rather than focusing on specific tasks for multiple patients. Each patient's care is individualized and encompasses all aspects of nursing care, not just specific tasks.

D. Provide complete care for a caseload of clients.

Providing complete care for a caseload of clients is characteristic of the total patient care delivery method. In this model, the nurse assumes responsibility for the holistic care of a smaller number of patients during each shift. This approach allows for continuity of care, fosters therapeutic nurse-patient relationships, and promotes better patient outcomes.