A nurse on a medical surgical unit is caring for a group of clients with the assistance of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an assistive personnel. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the LPN?

Choice A Reason:
Completing an incident report is inappropriate. While completing an incident report is important for documenting any errors or deviations from the standard of care, it should not be the first action taken. Assessing the client's condition takes precedence to ensure their immediate safety and well-being.
Choice B Reason:
Notifying the provider is inappropriate. Notifying the provider may be necessary, but it should not be the first action taken. Initially, the nurse should assess the client's condition to determine if any adverse effects have occurred as a result of the additional medication dose.
Choice C Reason:
Informing the nursing supervisor is inappropriate. Informing the nursing supervisor may be appropriate, especially if further actions or investigations are needed. However, the immediate priority is to assess the client's condition to ensure their safety.
Choice D Reason:
Observing the client's condition is appropriate. The nurse should first assess the client's condition to determine if any adverse effects have occurred due to the additional medication dose. This assessment helps identify any immediate concerns that require intervention. Based on the client's condition, further actions such as notifying the provider or completing an incident report may be warranted. However, observing the client's condition is the initial and most immediate action to take.

Choice A Reason:
Reinforcing dietary teaching with a client who has heart disease is incorrect. Dietary teaching typically requires a higher level of assessment and critical thinking, often involving interpretation of lab values, medication interactions, and individualized dietary plans. This task is best suited for a Registered Nurse (RN).
Choice B Reason:
Providing postmortem care for a client who has just died is incorrect. Providing postmortem care involves emotional support, respect for the deceased, and proper handling of the body. This task is within the scope of practice for an RN and may also involve collaboration with other healthcare team members.
Choice C Reason:
Accompanying a client who just had a wound debridement to physical therapy is incorrect. Accompanying a client to physical therapy may involve monitoring the client's condition, providing assistance during the transfer, and communicating with the physical therapist about the client's status. This task typically requires an RN or may be appropriate for an assistive personnel under RN supervision.
Choice D Reason:
Obtaining a urine specimen from an older adult client is correct. Obtaining a urine specimen is a task that falls within the scope of practice for an LPN. It involves performing a routine procedure that requires technical skills but does not involve complex assessment or critical thinking beyond following established protocols.