The charge nurse in an emergency center is planning client care assignments for the staff. Which action may be safely delegated to the practical nurse (PN)?

Choice A Reason: This role is responsible for coordinating the continuum of care for clients with complex health needs, such as head injury. The nurse case manager collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, the client, and the family to plan, implement, and evaluate the client's care from admission to discharge.

Choice B Reason: This role is responsible for providing primary and specialty care to adults, such as diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications, and ordering tests. The adult nurse practitioner may be involved in the client's care, but not in coordinating it.

Choice C Reason: This role is responsible for managing the daily operations of the neurology unit, such as staffing, budgeting, quality improvement, and staff development. The neurology unit supervisor may oversee the client's care while on the unit, but not throughout the continuum of care.

Choice D Reason: This role is responsible for identifying and preventing potential risks and liabilities in the healthcare setting, such as errors, injuries, infections, or lawsuits. The risk management nurse may monitor the client's care for quality and safety issues, but not for coordination.

Choice A Reason: A subtotal thyroidectomy is a major surgery that involves the removal of part of the thyroid gland. The client may have complications such as bleeding, infection, hypocalcemia, or vocal cord damage. The client also needs close monitoring of vital signs, blood transfusion, and airway patency. This client is not stable enough to be transferred to a general unit.

Choice B Reason: A combined partial and full-thickness burn is a serious injury that involves damage to the epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues. The client may have complications such as infection, fluid loss, hypovolemia, shock, or respiratory distress. The client also needs wound care, pain management, fluid replacement, and oxygen therapy. This client is not stable enough to be transferred to a general unit.

Choice C Reason: A renal transplant is a major surgery that involves the replacement of a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor. The client may have complications such as rejection, infection, bleeding, thrombosis, or urinary obstruction. The client also needs immunosuppressive therapy, anti-infective therapy, fluid and electrolyte balance, and pain management. This client is not stable enough to be transferred to a general unit.

Choice D Reason: Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to low serum protein levels and edema. The client may have complications such as infection, thromboembolism, or malnutrition. The client needs diuretic therapy, protein replacement, dietary modification, and infection prevention. This client is relatively stable and can be transferred to a general unit.