The nurse is providing education to a student nurse regarding delegation. What tasks would be unable to be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in blood pH due to an accumulation of acids or a loss of bicarbonate. It can result from conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, renal failure, or severe diarrhea. However, it is not typically associated with opioid overdose. Opioid overdose primarily affects the respiratory system, leading to hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis.

Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood due to hypoventilation. Opioid overdose depresses the central nervous system, leading to decreased respiratory rate and depth, which causes CO2 retention. This results in a decrease in blood pH, leading to respiratory acidosis. Symptoms may include confusion, lethargy, and shortness of breath.

Choice C reason: Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a decrease in blood CO2 levels due to hyperventilation. It can occur in conditions such as anxiety, fever, or high altitude. Opioid overdose, however, causes hypoventilation rather than hyperventilation, making respiratory alkalosis an unlikely outcome.

Choice D reason: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an increase in blood pH due to an accumulation of bicarbonate or a loss of acids. It can result from conditions such as prolonged vomiting, diuretic use, or excessive bicarbonate intake. Opioid overdose does not typically lead to metabolic alkalosis. The primary concern with opioid overdose is respiratory depression and the resulting respiratory acidosis.

Choice A Reason:

Restlessness is often one of the earliest signs of hypoxia. When the body experiences low oxygen levels, the brain is one of the first organs to be affected. This can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and restlessness as the brain struggles to function properly without adequate oxygen. These symptoms occur because the body is trying to compensate for the lack of oxygen by increasing respiratory and heart rates, which can make a person feel uneasy or restless.

Choice B Reason:

Cyanosis refers to a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low oxygen levels in the blood. While cyanosis is a significant indicator of hypoxia, it is typically a later sign. By the time cyanosis is visible, hypoxia has usually been present for some time, and oxygen levels have been critically low. Therefore, it is not the earliest clinical manifestation of hypoxia.

Choice C Reason:

Apnea is the absence of breathing. This is a severe and late sign of hypoxia. When a person stops breathing, it indicates that the body has been deprived of oxygen for an extended period, leading to critical conditions. Apnea is a medical emergency and requires immediate intervention, but it is not an early sign of hypoxia.

Choice D Reason:

Bradycardia is a slower than normal heart rate. Like apnea, bradycardia is a late sign of hypoxia. Initially, the body responds to low oxygen levels by increasing the heart rate (tachycardia) to pump more oxygenated blood to tissues. Bradycardia occurs when the body can no longer compensate, and the heart rate slows down, indicating severe hypoxia and impending failure of the cardiovascular system.