A nurse is making assignments for staff on an inpatient unit. Which of the following tasks can a nurse legally delegate to assistive personnel?
Obtaining the initial assessment of assigned clients
Changing a nonsterile dressing
Interpreting a client’s diagnostic laboratory results
Educating a client and family members on home care
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Obtaining initial assessments requires clinical judgment and is outside the scope of assistive personnel (AP). Registered nurses must perform assessments to identify health changes accurately. Delegating this task violates scope of practice regulations, making it illegal and unsafe for AP to perform.
Choice B reason: Changing a nonsterile dressing is within the scope of assistive personnel, as it involves routine, non-invasive care under nurse supervision. AP are trained for such tasks, which do not require clinical judgment, making this a legal and appropriate delegation choice.
Choice C reason: Interpreting laboratory results requires advanced knowledge and clinical decision-making, reserved for registered nurses or providers. Assistive personnel lack the training to analyze results, so delegating this task is illegal and risks patient safety, making it an incorrect choice.
Choice D reason: Educating clients and families involves assessing learning needs and tailoring information, which requires nursing judgment. Assistive personnel are not trained for patient education, making this task outside their scope and illegal to delegate, thus an incorrect choice.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Decreased serotonin levels are linked to depression, as serotonin regulates mood in the brain’s limbic system. Antidepressants like SSRIs increase serotonin, alleviating low mood and anhedonia, making this client a prime candidate for therapy to address neurochemical imbalances in depression.
Choice B reason: Decreased cortisol is not directly tied to depression requiring antidepressants. Cortisol dysregulation may occur in stress disorders, but antidepressants target serotonin or norepinephrine, not adrenal function, making this client less suitable for antidepressant therapy based on this imbalance.
Choice C reason: Elevated dopamine is linked to schizophrenia or mania, not depression. Antidepressants target serotonin or norepinephrine, not dopamine. This client may need antipsychotics or mood stabilizers, not antidepressants, as dopamine excess does not indicate depressive pathology requiring such therapy.
Choice D reason: Elevated thyroid levels suggest hyperthyroidism, mimicking anxiety, not depression. Antidepressants are not indicated, as treatment targets thyroid function. Depression may coexist, but thyroid correction is prioritized, making this client unsuitable for primary antidepressant therapy based on this finding.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Giving 2 ounces of water before newborn genetic screening is unnecessary and inappropriate, as the test involves a heel stick blood sample, not oral intake. Water may disrupt feeding or hydration balance in newborns, making this statement incorrect and irrelevant.
Choice B reason: Newborn genetic screening is typically a one-time test shortly after birth, not repeated at 2 months unless specific conditions warrant follow-up. Routine repetition is not standard, making this statement inaccurate for general teaching about the screening process.
Choice C reason: Blood for newborn genetic screening is collected via a heel stick, not the inner elbow, to minimize discomfort and obtain sufficient capillary blood. Drawing from the elbow is incorrect and impractical for newborns, making this statement inaccurate.
Choice D reason: Performing genetic screening after 24 hours ensures accurate detection of metabolic disorders, as newborns need time to metabolize nutrients. This timing aligns with national guidelines (e.g., AAP), making it essential and correct information for parents about the screening process.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.