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Difficulty: MediumClient Care Assignments and Collaboration

A nursing team on a maternal-newborn unit is organizing client care for the shift. Match each specific clinical task to the healthcare team member whose legal scope of practice and role makes them the most appropriate person to perform it.

  • Initiating the primary teaching plan for a client newly diagnosed with gestational diabetesRegistered Nurse (RN)
  • Administering a routine subcutaneous anticoagulant to a stable client two days postpartumLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN/VN)
  • Assisting a stable client with routine perineal care on the second postpartum dayUnlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)
  • Explaining the potential complications and alternatives of an upcoming emergency surgical procedurePrimary Healthcare Provider (PHCP)

Answer

Initiating teaching matches to the RN; administering subcutaneous medications matches to the LPN/VN; assisting with basic hygiene matches to the UAP; and explaining surgical risks matches to the PHCP.
Each healthcare team member operates within a specific legal scope of practice. The RN handles complex assessments and primary teaching. The LPN/VN cares for stable clients and administers routine therapies. The UAP performs basic activities of daily living and routine hygiene tasks. The PHCP is solely responsible for obtaining informed consent by actively explaining procedural risks.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the task of initiating a primary teaching plan for a newly diagnosed condition.
Match this task to the Registered Nurse (RN).
Initial comprehensive teaching requires advanced assessment of learning barriers and needs, which is exclusively within the RN's scope of practice.
2
Evaluate the task of administering a routine subcutaneous anticoagulant.
Match this task to the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/VN).
Routine medication administration for stable, predictable clients falls squarely within the accepted scope of practice for the LPN/VN.
3
Evaluate the task of assisting a stable client with routine perineal care.
Match this task to the Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP).
Basic hygiene assistance and activities of daily living for stable clients are standard tasks that do not require nursing judgment and can be safely delegated to UAP.
4
Evaluate the task of explaining complications and alternatives for an upcoming procedure.
Match this task to the Primary Healthcare Provider (PHCP).
While nurses may witness the signing of an informed consent document, only the provider performing the procedure can legally explain the risks and alternatives.

Key Concept

Delegation and Legal Scope of Practice
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Topics

Client Care Assignments and Collaboration

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