Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyClient Care Assignments and Collaboration

The charge nurse is observing a practical nurse (PN) collaborate with the healthcare team on a medical-surgical unit. Which action by the PN demonstrates a safe and appropriate understanding of their role?

  1. Instructing the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to empty a urinary catheter bag and record the output.Answer
  2. B
    Accepting an assignment to care for a newly admitted client who is experiencing acute respiratory distress.
  3. C
    Explaining the potential risks and complications of an upcoming surgical procedure before the client signs the consent form.
  4. D
    Discussing a client's recent biopsy results with a visiting neighbor who asked about the client's condition.

Answer

Instructing the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to empty a urinary catheter bag and record the output.
Emptying a urinary catheter bag and recording the output is a routine, non-invasive task that does not require the nursing process or clinical judgment. It is safe and appropriate for a PN to delegate this standard task to a UAP.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the correct scope of practice for the PN regarding delegation.
The PN can delegate routine, standard, and unchanging procedures to the UAP.
Safe delegation relies on assigning tasks that do not require independent nursing judgment or comprehensive assessment.
2
Evaluate the task of emptying a urinary catheter bag.
This is a routine task with predictable outcomes.
UAPs are trained to perform basic care skills, including measuring intake and output, making this a safe delegation.
3
Assess the other actions against PN scope and safety rules.
The other actions violate scope of practice, informed consent rules, and confidentiality laws.
The PN must act within legal boundaries, which means avoiding complex assessments on unstable clients, not assuming provider roles for consent, and strictly protecting client privacy.

Key Concept

Practical Nurse Scope of Practice, Delegation, and Legal Responsibilities
Rate this question

Topics

Client Care Assignments and Collaboration

More questions from this topic