A nurse is making assignments for staff on an inpatient unit. Which of the following tasks can a nurse legally delegate to assistive personnel?

Rationale:
A. "The provider can give you a referral for your baby to see an infectious disease provider.": Referring to a specialist does not address the parents’ knowledge or concerns about immunizations. The priority is to engage in a discussion to understand their perspective.

B. "Your baby's immunizations should be up to date before they are able to travel with you by airplane.": Framing immunizations only around travel requirements may seem judgmental and does not address the broader health benefits of vaccination.

C. "You don't have to immunize your baby against diseases that are no longer common.": This statement is misleading because many vaccine-preventable diseases can reemerge if immunization rates drop. It could reinforce misconceptions rather than promoting safe health practices.

D. "Let's talk about what you already know about immunizing your baby.": Beginning with an open-ended, nonjudgmental discussion allows the nurse to assess the parents’ knowledge, beliefs, and concerns. This approach supports informed decision-making and provides an opportunity for accurate, tailored education about vaccines.

Rationale:
A. Gently push the syringe plunger to administer medication: Medications given via NG tube should be administered slowly and gently using a syringe to avoid tube damage, aspiration, or sudden changes in gastric pressure. This technique ensures safe and effective delivery of the medication.

B. Dissolve the medications together: Mixing multiple medications can cause chemical interactions or precipitation, which can block the NG tube or reduce medication efficacy. Each medication should be dissolved and administered separately.

C. Flush the NG tube with 5 mL of cold tap water after administration: Flushing is necessary to maintain tube patency, but 5 mL is insufficient for continuous feedings. Typically, 15–30 mL of warm or room-temperature water is used to prevent tube occlusion.

D. Add medication directly to the enteral feeding: Adding medication to the feeding can alter the composition, affect absorption, and create a risk for tube blockage. Medications should be given separately with flushing before and after administration.