A nurse is planning care for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

Choice A rationale:

Providing postmortem care for a client who has recently died does not require immediate intervention by the charge nurse, as it is a standard nursing responsibility to provide postmortem care with dignity and respect to the deceased client. The AP can proceed with this task independently.

Choice B rationale:

Performing a simple dressing change on a client's foot is within the scope of practice for an assistive personnel (AP) and does not require immediate intervention by the charge nurse, assuming the AP is competent and trained to perform this task.

Choice C rationale:

Washing hands with alcohol-based hand rub after bathing a client who has Clostridium difficile is not sufficient. Alcohol is not effective against C. Difficile spores.

Choice D rationale:

Clean gloves are sufficient for this task, as they do provide adequate protection against the transmission of infections.

- A. Palpate the degree of edema. This is incorrect because palpating the degree of edema requires clinical judgment and skill, which are beyond the scope of practice of an AP. -

B. Regulate IV pump fluid rate. This is incorrect because regulating IV pump fluid rate is a nursing responsibility that involves calculating and adjusting the infusion rate based on the client's condition and orders.

- C. Measure the client's daily weight. This is correct because measuring the client's daily weight is a routine task that can be delegated to an AP, as long as the nurse provides clear instructions and monitors the results. The client's daily weight is an indicator of fluid balance and can help evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

- D. Assess the client's vital signs. This is incorrect because assessing the client's vital signs requires interpretation and analysis of data, which are nursing functions that cannot be delegated to an AP.