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.
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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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While maintaining the integrity of the unit is important, particularly concerning safety and professionalism, it should not be the primary focus in this scenario. Addressing the underlying issue of substance abuse is more crucial to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff.
B. Supporting the nurse's personal growth is important, especially in recovery. However, personal growth cannot be the primary concern when the nurse's behavior poses significant risks to patient safety. While this can be a component of the overall approach, it should not overshadow immediate safety concerns.
C. The safety of clients and families must be the top priority in this situation. The nurse’s substance abuse poses a direct risk to patient safety, and addressing this risk is essential. Ensuring that clients and families are safe should guide the manager's actions in handling the nurse's behavior.
D. The well-being of the nurse is certainly important and should be considered in the context of providing support and resources for recovery. However, in this case, the immediate risk to patients takes precedence.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Libel refers to the written defamation of someone's character, which is not applicable here. The nurse leaving early does not involve any defamatory statements or written content.
B. Battery involves the intentional and unlawful physical contact with another person without consent. The nurse leaving early does not constitute physical harm or unwanted contact with patients or colleagues.
C. Slander refers to the spoken defamation of someone's character. Similar to libel, this term does not apply to the nurse’s action of leaving early, as it does not involve making false statements about someone.
D. Negligence in nursing refers to a failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably competent nurse would provide in similar circumstances. By leaving her shift early without notifying the charge nurse, the nurse may be failing to ensure continuity of care for her patients, even if they are stable.
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