,1. The charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit is preparing to delegate care
for a group of patients. One of the patients is a 68-year-old client recovering
from a stroke who requires assistance with feeding and ambulation. Another
patient is receiving IV antibiotics for pneumonia and requires frequent
respiratory assessments. A third patient is being discharged and needs
reinforcement of insulin self-administration. The nurse is working with one
licensed practical nurse (LPN) and one assistive personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks should the nurse assign to the AP?
A. Reinforce teaching about insulin administration
B. Assist the client with ambulation and feeding post-stroke
C. Monitor for adverse reactions to IV antibiotics
D. Perform a focused respiratory assessment for the pneumonia patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
When delegating tasks, the RN must consider the training, experience, and legal
scope of practice for each team member. Assistive personnel (APs), such as
nursing assistants, can assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), including
feeding, bathing, and ambulation. Option B is correct because the AP can safely
assist the stroke patient with ambulation and feeding, assuming the patient is stable
,and there are no complex swallowing precautions or mobility restrictions that
require clinical judgment. Option A involves reinforcing teaching, which requires
knowledge evaluation — this is within the LPN’s scope under the RN’s guidance
but not for an AP. Option C requires monitoring for side effects of IV medication,
which is the responsibility of the RN or LPN. Option D involves a focused
assessment — this includes collecting data, interpreting signs and symptoms, and
requires critical thinking, making it inappropriate for APs. Effective delegation also
involves the five rights: right task, right circumstance, right person, right
direction/communication, and right supervision. Assigning tasks that match the
AP's skillset ensures safe and efficient patient care, while freeing the RN and LPN
to handle more complex responsibilities. Delegating appropriately helps prevent
errors and supports team-based care delivery.
2. An RN is leading a shift report and preparing to assign tasks to a team
consisting of one LPN and two APs. One of the patients is a 79-year-old client
with Parkinson’s disease who requires help with feeding and repositioning.
Another is a 50-year-old post-op client requiring a sterile dressing change and
pain medication. A third patient, newly admitted with a GI bleed, needs initial
assessment and physician notification. Which of the following assignments is
most appropriate for the LPN?
, A. Perform the admission assessment on the client with a GI bleed
B. Change the sterile dressing on the post-op client
C. Feed the client with Parkinson’s disease
D. Reposition the patient every 2 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The LPN's scope of practice includes performing sterile dressing changes,
administering certain medications, collecting data, and contributing to care plans
under the RN's supervision. Option B represents a skill-based task appropriate for
an LPN. Sterile procedures, such as wound care, are often part of LPN duties,
provided the patient is stable and there are no complex assessments required before
or after. Option A, performing an initial admission assessment, is outside the LPN’s
scope — RNs are responsible for all initial assessments, care plan initiation, and
contacting providers with critical updates. Option C (feeding) and Option D
(repositioning) are suitable for assistive personnel, provided they are trained and
the patient is stable. Delegating appropriately ensures patient safety and effective
time management. Assigning sterile dressing changes to the LPN allows the RN to
focus on complex tasks like assessing new admissions or responding to
emergencies. Understanding the skillset and licensure limits of each team member
is a critical leadership function. Misdelegation can lead to legal repercussions,
for a group of patients. One of the patients is a 68-year-old client recovering
from a stroke who requires assistance with feeding and ambulation. Another
patient is receiving IV antibiotics for pneumonia and requires frequent
respiratory assessments. A third patient is being discharged and needs
reinforcement of insulin self-administration. The nurse is working with one
licensed practical nurse (LPN) and one assistive personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks should the nurse assign to the AP?
A. Reinforce teaching about insulin administration
B. Assist the client with ambulation and feeding post-stroke
C. Monitor for adverse reactions to IV antibiotics
D. Perform a focused respiratory assessment for the pneumonia patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
When delegating tasks, the RN must consider the training, experience, and legal
scope of practice for each team member. Assistive personnel (APs), such as
nursing assistants, can assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), including
feeding, bathing, and ambulation. Option B is correct because the AP can safely
assist the stroke patient with ambulation and feeding, assuming the patient is stable
,and there are no complex swallowing precautions or mobility restrictions that
require clinical judgment. Option A involves reinforcing teaching, which requires
knowledge evaluation — this is within the LPN’s scope under the RN’s guidance
but not for an AP. Option C requires monitoring for side effects of IV medication,
which is the responsibility of the RN or LPN. Option D involves a focused
assessment — this includes collecting data, interpreting signs and symptoms, and
requires critical thinking, making it inappropriate for APs. Effective delegation also
involves the five rights: right task, right circumstance, right person, right
direction/communication, and right supervision. Assigning tasks that match the
AP's skillset ensures safe and efficient patient care, while freeing the RN and LPN
to handle more complex responsibilities. Delegating appropriately helps prevent
errors and supports team-based care delivery.
2. An RN is leading a shift report and preparing to assign tasks to a team
consisting of one LPN and two APs. One of the patients is a 79-year-old client
with Parkinson’s disease who requires help with feeding and repositioning.
Another is a 50-year-old post-op client requiring a sterile dressing change and
pain medication. A third patient, newly admitted with a GI bleed, needs initial
assessment and physician notification. Which of the following assignments is
most appropriate for the LPN?
, A. Perform the admission assessment on the client with a GI bleed
B. Change the sterile dressing on the post-op client
C. Feed the client with Parkinson’s disease
D. Reposition the patient every 2 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The LPN's scope of practice includes performing sterile dressing changes,
administering certain medications, collecting data, and contributing to care plans
under the RN's supervision. Option B represents a skill-based task appropriate for
an LPN. Sterile procedures, such as wound care, are often part of LPN duties,
provided the patient is stable and there are no complex assessments required before
or after. Option A, performing an initial admission assessment, is outside the LPN’s
scope — RNs are responsible for all initial assessments, care plan initiation, and
contacting providers with critical updates. Option C (feeding) and Option D
(repositioning) are suitable for assistive personnel, provided they are trained and
the patient is stable. Delegating appropriately ensures patient safety and effective
time management. Assigning sterile dressing changes to the LPN allows the RN to
focus on complex tasks like assessing new admissions or responding to
emergencies. Understanding the skillset and licensure limits of each team member
is a critical leadership function. Misdelegation can lead to legal repercussions,
