The nurse leading a care team on a medical surgical unit is assigning client care to a practical nurse (PN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task should the nurse delegate to the PN?
Begin initial sterile wound care for surgical clients.
Validate prescribed intravenous flow rates.
Determine the need for urinary catheterizations.
Receive a postoperative client and conduct the assessment.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason: Beginning initial sterile wound care for surgical clients is a nursing intervention that requires clinical judgment and cannot be delegated to the PN. The PN may assist with wound care after the initial dressing change, but the RN is responsible for assessing the wound and initiating the plan of care.
Choice B Reason: Validating prescribed intravenous flow rates is a routine task that does not require clinical judgment and can be delegated to the PN. The PN has the knowledge and skill to check the IV orders, calculate the drip rate, and monitor the infusion.
Choice C Reason: Determining the need for urinary catheterizations is a nursing assessment that requires clinical judgment and cannot be delegated to the PN. The PN may perform urinary catheterizations as ordered by the physician, but the RN is responsible for evaluating the indication, risk, and benefit of the procedure.
Choice D Reason: Receiving a postoperative client and conducting the assessment is a nursing intervention that requires clinical judgment and cannot be delegated to the PN. The RN is responsible for receiving reports from the operating room, assessing the client's status, identifying potential complications, and initiating the plan of care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic that can be given by gravity infusion without an IV pump, as long as the nurse monitors the flow rate and adjusts the roller clamp as needed. The dose and duration of ceftriaxone are usually fixed and not affected by minor fluctuations in the infusion rate.
Choice B reason: Heparin is an anticoagulant that requires a precise and constant infusion rate to prevent bleeding or clotting complications. An IV pump is essential to deliver heparin safely and accurately.
Choice C reason: Magnesium is an electrolyte that can cause serious adverse effects such as cardiac arrhythmias,
respiratory depression, and muscle weakness if infused too rapidly or too slowly. An IV pump is necessary to control the infusion rate and prevent magnesium toxicity or deficiency.
Choice D reason: Regular insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and requires careful titration based on frequent blood glucose monitoring. An IV pump is required to deliver insulin at a consistent and adjustable rate to avoid hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This client may need another dose of hydromorphone if the pain is not relieved by the previous one. A PN can administer this medication under the supervision of a RN and monitor the client's response.
Choice B Reason: This client's vital signs are within normal limits and indicate that the morphine is effective and not causing respiratory depression. A PN can assess and document the client's vital signs and pain level.
Choice C Reason: This is the correct answer because this client has acute and severe pain that may require immediate intervention and reassessment. An RN can evaluate the cause and severity of the pain, administer additional analgesics as prescribed, and implement nonpharmacological measures to relieve the pain.
Choice D Reason: This client has chronic and stable pain that is managed by a fentanyl patch. A PN can replace the patch according to the schedule and instructions provided by the RN.
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