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Difficulty: MediumClient Care Assignments and Collaboration

Following the morning handoff on a respiratory care unit, the nursing staff divides the pending clinical tasks. The team includes a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), and assistive personnel (AP). Which specific action is most appropriate for the LPN to accept and perform independently?

  1. Reinforcing previous dietary teaching and administering scheduled oral medications to a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Answer
  2. B
    Administering an intravenous (IV) push dose of furosemide to a client exhibiting sudden pulmonary edema
  3. C
    Explaining the potential complications of a bronchoscopy procedure to a client before witnessing the consent form signature
  4. D
    Discussing a client's recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis with a colleague while riding a crowded staff elevator

Answer

The most appropriate action is reinforcing previous dietary teaching and administering scheduled oral medications to a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The correct answer involves reinforcing previous teaching and administering scheduled oral medications. Both of these actions are fundamental components of the LPN's legal scope of practice when caring for stable clients. The LPN can reinforce education that an RN has already initiated and safely administer routine oral medications.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the roles and legal scope of practice for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) within the interprofessional healthcare team.
The LPN is authorized to provide care to stable clients, administer standard medications, and reinforce teaching previously initiated by a Registered Nurse.
National guidelines and state nurse practice acts delineate clinical tasks based on educational preparation and clinical judgment levels.
2
Evaluate each available option against the LPN's scope of practice, the RN's scope, and the healthcare provider's scope.
Providing IV push medications to unstable clients requires an RN. Explaining procedural complications is the provider's duty. Discussing health information in public violates confidentiality standards.
Recognizing unauthorized actions prevents unsafe client care assignments and legal liabilities.
3
Select the task that safely falls within the LPN's legal responsibilities and capabilities.
Reinforcing previous dietary teaching and administering scheduled oral medications is the correct and safe assignment.
These actions do not require the comprehensive assessment, independent clinical judgment, or initial teaching skills reserved for the RN.

Key Concept

Delegation and LPN Scope of Practice
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Topics

Client Care Assignments and Collaboration

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