A nurse is teaching a group of parents about car seat safety. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Updating a family member on a client's condition following surgery: Communicating clinical information and updates to family members requires professional nursing judgment and understanding of the client’s status. This task cannot be delegated to assistive personnel because it involves interpretation of medical information and legal responsibility.

B. Observing a client's abdominal laceration for indications of infection: Assessment of wounds for signs of infection requires professional knowledge and clinical judgment to identify subtle changes and make appropriate care decisions. This task must be performed by a licensed nurse and cannot be delegated to assistive personnel.

C. Instructing a client about the use of an incentive spirometer: Teaching a client involves providing information, evaluating understanding, and demonstrating correct technique. This requires nursing knowledge and judgment, making it inappropriate to delegate to assistive personnel.

D. Documenting the amount of drainage from a client's NG tube: Measuring and recording output from an NG tube is a routine, non-invasive task that does not require clinical judgment. This task can be safely delegated to assistive personnel as long as they follow proper procedures and report abnormal findings to the nurse.

A. A client who has depression and anxiety with an established plan of care: A medical-surgical nurse can safely care for a client with stable mental health conditions when a clear, established plan of care is in place. This client does not require constant psychiatric interventions, making it appropriate for assignment.

B. A client who is trying to engage in self-harm and does not understand why they cannot leave the facility: This client is high-risk and requires a nurse with specialized mental health training to implement safety measures and therapeutic interventions. Assigning this client to a medical-surgical nurse could compromise safety.

C. A client who is being discharged and needs information on substance abuse counseling: Discharge teaching and counseling for substance abuse require specialized knowledge and therapeutic communication skills typical of mental health nurses. A medical-surgical nurse may not have the expertise to provide adequate education and support.

D. A client who has been placed in restraints and requires documentation every 15 min: Clients in restraints require frequent monitoring, crisis intervention, and mental health expertise. This high-acuity situation is not appropriate for a nurse without psychiatric training.