A nurse is receiving report from the assistive personnel (AP) assigned to the nurse's group of clients. Which of the following statements from the AP indicates the client the nurse should assess first?

Choice A rationale:

Request crutches from a medical equipment provider. This choice is not appropriate for a client with left-sided weakness due to a stroke. Crutches are primarily used for lower extremity support and would not address the client's mobility and safety needs related to their left-sided weakness.

Choice B rationale:

Advise the client to install grab bars in the bathroom at home. This is the correct choice. Installing grab bars in the bathroom will enhance the client's safety and independence. Left-sided weakness can result in balance issues, and having grab bars near the toilet and in the shower can help prevent falls and provide the client with support while using these facilities. This intervention promotes the client's functional autonomy and reduces the risk of injury.

Choice C rationale:

Encourage the client to allow a home care aide to perform ADLs for them. While it might be necessary for a client with severe disability to receive assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), the question does not provide enough information to suggest that the client's condition warrants this level of intervention. Encouraging independence is generally preferred to maintain the client's self-esteem and engagement in daily life activities.

Choice D rationale:

Contact hospice to provide follow-up care for the client. Hospice care is intended for clients with terminal illnesses who are in the final stages of life. A client who has had a stroke and is experiencing left-sided weakness does not automatically qualify for hospice care. The client's condition can be managed with rehabilitation and support, and hospice care is not appropriate in this context.

The correct answer isChoice C.

Choice A rationale:

Instructing a client on how to take their blood pressure is a task that involves providing education to the client on a non-invasive procedure that they can perform independently. However, this task requires a certain level of knowledge and understanding that an assistive personnel (AP) may not possess. Therefore, it is not the best task to delegate to an AP.

Choice B rationale:

Administering subcutaneous medications to a client is a task that requires a high level of skill and knowledge. It involves understanding the medication, its side effects, and the correct administration technique. This is a task that should be performed by a nurse or a healthcare professional with the appropriate training and licensure. Delegating this task to an AP could potentially put the client’s health at risk.

Choice C rationale:

Determining a client’s intake and output is a task that can be delegated to an AP.This task does not require the use of the nursing process and is within the range of function of an AP. It involves measuring and recording the amount of fluid a client consumes and excretes, which is a task that an AP is capable of performing.

Choice D rationale:

Providing a status update to a client’s family member is a task that requires a high level of discretion and understanding of the client’s condition. It involves communicating sensitive information about the client’s health status, which should be done by a nurse or a healthcare professional with the appropriate training and licensure. Delegating this task to an AP could potentially lead to miscommunication or a breach of the client’s privacy.