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 A

Explanation

A. Disinfecting equipment is a routine infection control measure that UAPs can perform after receiving proper training on the protocol. This activity does not require clinical judgment and falls within the
UAP’s responsibilities.
B. While UAPs may assist in educating visitors about hand hygiene, the demonstration of correct hand washing techniques is typically a nursing responsibility. Nurses are trained to provide this education effectively and ensure that the information is conveyed appropriately, especially since it may involve assessing visitors’ understanding.
C. This task requires clinical judgment and assessment skills, which are within the nursing scope of practice. Nurses need to evaluate this information in the context of the client’s overall health and care plan, making it inappropriate for delegation to UAP.
D. Screening for symptoms involves assessment and interpretation, which require a nursing level of knowledge and clinical judgment. While UAPs may collect basic data or report observations, actively screening clients for specific symptoms should be performed by a nurse.

A. A staff nurse filing an event report after making a medication error. B. A nurse manager abuses their power by humiliating a new nurse in front of their peers for making a medication error. C. A charge nurse improperly uses authority by condescending a new nurse who asked them a question about medication administration. D. Sexual harassment of a patient by their primary nurse.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Filing an event report after a medication error is a professional and responsible action. This behavior promotes transparency and accountability and is often required by healthcare facilities to improve safety and prevent future errors. Generally, filing such a report itself does not carry disciplinary consequences, especially if done in accordance with the facility's policies.
B. This behavior can have serious disciplinary consequences. Humiliating a colleague can create a hostile work environment, which may lead to formal complaints and disciplinary actions against the nurse manager. Such actions violate workplace professionalism and can result in legal repercussions as well.
C. This behavior can also lead to disciplinary action. Condescension and disrespect undermine teamwork and can discourage open communication, which is critical in healthcare settings. This behavior can be reported and may be addressed by management or human resources.
D. Sexual harassment of a patient is a serious offense that can lead to severe legal and disciplinary consequences. It is a violation of ethical and legal standards in healthcare, resulting in potential termination, loss of licensure, and legal action.

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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:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which infection control activity should the nurse delegate to an experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which of the following behaviors would not have disciplinary or legal consequences?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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In which situation would the nurse be justified in overriding a client's right to confidentiality?

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The care of a client is assigned to a newly-graduated RN. What actions can the newly-graduated RN delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]

A nurse manager is reviewing the admission history of four adults who were admitted to the medical-surgical unit during the shift. Which of the following situations is the nurse required to disclose information to an outside agency about the client or the client's circumstances?

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