A registered nurse has been leading teams of nursing assistive personnel (NAP) for several years and will soon be leading licensed practical nurses (LPNs) for the first time. In preparation for delegating to these nurses, the RN should:

ask each LPN what tasks he or she is comfortable performing.

delegate the same tasks to the LPNs that the RN normally delegated to NAPS.

consult a decision tree for delegation to unlicensed assistive personnel.

review the practical nurse scope of practice in the jurisdiction where they are working.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   While it’s important to consider the comfort and competency of the LPNs, this approach alone does not ensure that the tasks delegated are within their legal scope of practice. It’s essential for the RN to also verify that the tasks align with the LPN’s training and legal scope of practice.
B.   LPNs have a different scope of practice compared to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). They are trained to perform more complex tasks and provide a higher level of care than NAPs. Delegating the same tasks would not take advantage of the LPN's training and could lead to issues related to patient safety and quality of care.
C.   While consulting a decision tree can be a useful tool for delegating tasks to NAPs, it does not apply to LPNs. LPNs have a different scope of practice and require a different framework for delegation, as they can perform nursing tasks that are not within the NAP scope.
D.   This is the most appropriate action for the RN. Understanding the legal scope of practice for LPNs in their specific jurisdiction is crucial for safe and effective delegation. It ensures that the RN delegates tasks that LPNs are qualified to perform, thereby promoting patient safety and adhering to legal standards.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. While RNs can be held liable for their actions and, to some extent, for the actions of those they delegate to, liability is not automatic for all tasks delegated. Liability depends on whether the RN acted appropriately in the delegation process and whether the delegated tasks were performed within the subordinate's scope of practice.
B. While subordinates are accountable for their actions, RNs also share responsibility when they delegate tasks. If the RN delegates a task inappropriately or fails to supervise adequately, they may still be held liable for any resulting harm.
C. This statement is true. When RNs delegate tasks appropriately, ensuring that they are within the subordinate's scope of practice and providing adequate supervision, their liability is reduced. Proper delegation includes assessing the situation, providing clear instructions, and monitoring the outcomes.
D. While delegating to licensed personnel may reduce some liability, it does not eliminate it entirely. RNs still have a duty to ensure that the tasks delegated are appropriate for the individual’s scope of practice and to provide supervision.

A. Patient found lying on floor at foot of the bed. B. Patient was rushing to the bathroom to avoid incontinence. C. Patient fell while walking to the bathroom. D. Patient states nursing staff did not respond to the call bell.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. This statement is the most appropriate for an incident occurrence report. It provides a factual, objective description of what was observed without inferring causes or making assumptions about the patient’s actions. Clear documentation is critical in incident reports for accuracy and potential follow-up.
B. This statement includes assumptions about the patient's motivations and actions. It is speculative and not based on direct observation. Incident reports should avoid subjective interpretations and focus on what can be objectively verified.
C. Although this statement describes a potential scenario, it assumes that the patient was walking to the bathroom and that this was the cause of the fall. Since the nurse did not witness the event, this could be misleading and should be avoided in an incident report.
D. While documenting patient statements can be important, this particular comment is subjective and does not provide an objective account of the incident. It could also lead to potential blame without verifying the accuracy of the statement, which could complicate the report.

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A registered nurse has been leading teams of nursing assistive personnel (NAP) for several years and will soon be leading licensed practical nurses (LPNs) for the first time. In preparation for delegating to these nurses, the RN should:

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which statement is true regarding the general delegation liability of the registered nurse (RN)?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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