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 D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is not the first action because it does not address the safety risk of smoking in the hospital. The nurse should document the occurrence after taking appropriate measures to prevent fire and injury.
Choice B Reason: This is not the first action because it does not stop the client from smoking in the bathroom. The nurse should obtain a prescription for a nicotine patch if the client agrees to quit smoking, but this is not a priority at this time.
Choice C Reason: This is not the first action because it does not ensure that the client will comply with the hospital smoking policy. The nurse should educate the client about the health hazards of smoking and the hospital rules, but this can be done later.
Choice D Reason: This is the best action because it alerts the authority figure who can intervene and enforce the hospital smoking policy. The nurse should notify the charge nurse as soon as possible to prevent fire and injury.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Confronting the nurse manager as a group may not be effective or appropriate, as it may create more conflict and resentment. The charge nurse should follow the chain of command and escalate the issue to a higher authority if the nurse manager fails to act.
Choice B reason: Attending procedures performed by the surgeon and demanding halting of the procedure if the client becomes distressed may be seen as insubordination and interference by the surgeon, who may have legal authority to perform the procedure. It may also jeopardize the client's safety and outcome.
Choice C reason: Documenting client reactions to invasive procedures performed by the physician in their medical record is important, but not sufficient. It does not address the root cause of the problem, which is the surgeon's lack of empathy and respect for clients' pain and dignity.
Choice D reason: Reporting the physician's lack of concern for clients' pain during invasive procedures to the Director of Nursing is the most important action for the charge nurse to take, as it may lead to an investigation and corrective measures. The Director of Nursing has more power and responsibility than the nurse manager to deal with such issues and protect clients' rights and welfare.
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