A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is planning care for four clients. Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale: Placing a sterile kit on the overbed table above waist level maintains the sterility of the field. This position ensures that the kit is not contaminated by lower surfaces or inadvertent touch, which is essential for preventing infection during dressing changes.

Choice B rationale: Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit toward their body increases the risk of contaminating the sterile field. The first flap should be opened away from the body to maintain the sterility of the field and prevent contamination.

Choice C rationale: Turning their back to the sterile field when coughing is incorrect because it increases the risk of contamination. The nurse should step away from the sterile field and cough into their elbow or use a mask to maintain sterility.

Choice D rationale: Holding a package of sterile gauze 30.5 cm (12 in) above the sterile field when dropping the gauze onto the field is too high and increases the risk of contamination. The gauze should be held closer, approximately 6 inches above the field, to ensure accuracy and sterility.

Choice A rationale: Administering a rectal suppository is a medication administration task that should be performed by a licensed nurse, not delegated to an assistive personnel.

Choice B rationale: Instructing a client to use an incentive spirometer involves providing education and ensuring proper technique, which falls within the scope of practice of a licensed nurse.

Choice C rationale: Measuring blood glucose for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis involves monitoring a critical condition and interpreting results, which should be done by a licensed nurse.

Choice D rationale: Using a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen saturation is a simple and routine task that can be delegated to an assistive personnel for a stable client who is ready for discharge.