A nurse is planning to delegate a task to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Reassign the task to another nurse: While reassignment may be an option, it does not address the underlying issue. Ensuring the LPN has the knowledge and skill to complete the task is more effective in addressing both immediate and future concerns.

B. Report the issue to the unit manager: Reporting to the manager might be appropriate if the issue persists or reflects repeated non-compliance. However, verifying the LPN's competence and addressing the problem directly should be the first step.

C. Change the client’s dressing: While changing the dressing resolves the immediate client need, it does not address the issue of delegation or why the task was not completed. This approach bypasses the opportunity to assess and support the LPN.

D. Verify the LPN knows how to do a dressing change: Before taking further action, the charge nurse should determine why the task was not completed. If the LPN lacks the knowledge or skill to perform a dressing change, the nurse must address this gap and provide appropriate education or support to ensure client care is not compromised.

Rationale:

A. Encouraging clients to receive an annual flu immunization is a cost-effective measure to prevent illness and reduce overall healthcare costs.

B. Waiting to empty a drainable colostomy until it is three-fourths full might not be the best practice for client comfort or prevention of leakage.

C. Recommending sterile technique for home care is important for infection prevention but not necessarily a cost-reduction strategy in the healthcare setting.

D. Delegating closed irrigation to AP may not be appropriate if it involves tasks beyond their scope of practice and does not directly relate to cost reduction.