A nurse is planning care for a group of clients at the beginning of the shift. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

Rationale:

A. A client who has diabetes mellitus and is having difficulty self-administering insulin because of poor eyesight may need home health services but not necessarily hospice care unless they are terminally ill.

B. A client who has terminal cancer and needs assistance with pain management is appropriate for hospice care, which focuses on comfort and end-of-life care.

C. A client who has dementia and needs help with activities of daily living might benefit from long-term care or home care services but not necessarily hospice unless they are in the terminal stages.

D. A client who is recovering from a stroke and needs someone to provide care while his spouse is at work requires supportive care rather than hospice care.

Rationale:

A. An infant who has pertussis and is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula requires immediate assessment to ensure that the oxygen therapy is adequate and to monitor for any signs of respiratory distress or worsening condition.

B. An adolescent who was admitted to the unit in sickle cell crisis and is ready for discharge instructions does not require immediate assessment as the client is stable enough for discharge planning.

C. A school-age child who has diabetes mellitus and requires blood glucose monitoring should be assessed, but it is less urgent compared to a client with a respiratory condition.

D. A toddler who has both arms in casts and needs to be fed his breakfast needs attention, but this is less critical compared to monitoring a client with a respiratory condition.