A nurse is due to renew their nursing license. Which of the following information should the nurse identify as the purpose of renewal?

Choice A reason: This statement is true and should be included in the educational session. SDOH are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes, such as income, education, housing, food security, social inclusion, and access to health services. SDOH can affect a person's physical, mental, and social wellbeing, as well as their risk of developing certain diseases.

Choice B reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the educational session. SDOH are not determined by an individual’s ethnic background, but rather by the broader social, economic, and political context in which they live. However, ethnic background can influence how a person experiences SDOH, as some ethnic groups may face discrimination, racism, and marginalization that affect their access to resources and opportunities.

Choice C reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the educational session. Identifying SDOH does not increase disparities in health care, but rather helps to address them. Disparities in health care are the differences in the quality and accessibility of health services among different populations⁵. Identifying SDOH can help to understand the root causes of these disparities, and to design interventions that target the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

Choice D reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the educational session. SDOH do not include psychological factors, but rather affect them. Psychological factors are the individual characteristics and behaviors that influence a person's mental health and wellbeing, such as personality, coping skills, self-esteem, and stress management. SDOH can influence psychological factors by creating stressful or supportive environments, and by facilitating or hindering access to mental health services.

Choice A reason: This task is unsafe to assign to an AP, as it requires clinical judgment and critical thinking skills that are beyond the scope of practice of an AP. A confused surgical client who has multiple tubes may be at risk of complications such as infection, bleeding, or dislodgement of the tubes. The nurse is responsible for monitoring the client's condition, assessing the tubes' function and placement, and intervening as needed.

Choice B reason: This task is safe to assign to an AP, as it does not involve direct client care or clinical decision making. Providing postmortem care for a client who has died involves preparing the body for transport, removing any tubes or devices, and ensuring respect and dignity for the deceased and their family. The nurse should supervise and instruct the AP on how to perform this task according to the facility's policies and procedures.

Choice C reason: This task is safe to assign to an AP, as it is part of the basic care and comfort activities that an AP can perform under the nurse's delegation. Assisting a client to eat who has difficulty seeing the foods on the tray involves helping the client identify the food items, cutting or opening them if needed, and encouraging adequate intake. The nurse should ensure that the client has no dietary restrictions or swallowing difficulties before assigning this task to the AP.

Choice D reason: This task is safe to assign to an AP, as it is a routine and noninvasive procedure that an AP can perform under the nurse's direction. Delivering a client’s urine specimen to the laboratory involves labeling the specimen container, placing it in a biohazard bag, and transporting it to the designated area. The nurse should provide the AP with clear instructions on how to collect and handle the specimen.