Which client is best to assign to the practical nurse (PN) who is assisting the registered nurse (RN) with the care of a group of clients?

The correct answer is D. Activate the lockdown procedure.

Choice A rationale:

Asking the mother about expected visitors is important for later investigation, but it does not address the immediate concern of a potentially missing infant and delays necessary security measures.

Choice B rationale:

Matching ID bands is an essential step in verifying the identity of infants and mothers, but it should follow initial actions to secure the area and prevent possible abduction.

Choice C rationale:

Determining if the newborn is in the nursery is a logical step but not the first priority. The immediate action should be to secure the unit to prevent any potential abductor from leaving.

Choice D rationale:

Activating the lockdown procedure is the first priority to ensure the safety of the infant and prevent any unauthorized individuals from leaving the facility. This step is crucial to quickly address the situation and prevent potential abduction.

The correct answer is Choice C: Assign the remainder of medication administration to another Practical Nurse (PN) who is performing treatments.

Choice A reason: Denying the medication aide’s request to leave before all medications are given does not address the issue at hand and could potentially jeopardize patient care. It is important to acknowledge the medication aide’s request and find an appropriate solution that ensures patient safety and well-being.

Choice B reason: Delegating medication administration to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who may not have the necessary training or authorization could lead to medication errors, adverse drug reactions, or other negative outcomes. It is essential to adhere to the scope of practice guidelines and facility policies when assigning tasks to UAPs.

Choice C reason: Reassigning the medication administration to another PN with the necessary qualifications and training ensures that patients receive their medications in a safe and timely manner. This action aligns with the practical nurse’s responsibility to supervise and delegate tasks appropriately, maintaining patient safety and upholding the standards of care.

Choice D reason: Documenting why medications were not given to each resident is an important aspect of maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records. However, it does not address the immediate need to administer medications to residents, and it is not a substitute for ensuring that patients receive their prescribed treatments. Documentation should be completed after the appropriate steps have been taken to administer medications or arrange for an alternative solution.