Question

Difficulty: MediumClient Care Assignments and Collaboration

During a midday staffing huddle on an inpatient rehabilitation floor, the nursing supervisor is distributing upcoming client care activities. To maintain client safety and comply with scope of practice regulations, match each specific clinical intervention to the most appropriate healthcare team member.

  • Completing the comprehensive admission assessment and formulating the initial plan of care for a new transfer.Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Administering a scheduled oral analgesic and reinforcing previously taught information about fall precautions.Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN)
  • Assisting a hemodynamically stable client with transferring from the bed to a chair and recording meal intake.Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)
  • Explaining the specific surgical risks, benefits, and alternative treatment options to obtain informed consent.Primary Healthcare Provider (Surgeon/Physician)

Answer

The comprehensive assessment matches to the RN. Medication administration and teaching reinforcement match to the LPN/VN. Basic transfers and intake recording match to the UAP. Explaining surgical risks matches to the Primary Healthcare Provider.
Delegation relies on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) guidelines. The RN retains accountability for comprehensive assessments and the initial plan of care. The LPN/VN safely provides care to stable clients with predictable outcomes, including administering routine medications and reinforcing education. The UAP handles standard, unchanging routines. Finally, the primary healthcare provider holds the legal responsibility for explaining surgical risks and obtaining informed consent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the task requiring comprehensive assessment and care planning.
Matched to the Registered Nurse (RN).
RNs hold the legal scope of practice for conducting initial comprehensive assessments and formulating nursing diagnoses.
2
Evaluate the task involving routine medication administration and reinforcement of teaching.
Matched to the Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN).
LPN/VNs are licensed to administer standard medications and reinforce RN-initiated education for stable clients with predictable outcomes.
3
Evaluate the task requiring basic assistance with activities of daily living and standard data recording.
Matched to the Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP).
UAPs are trained to perform routine, standard, and unchanging procedures for hemodynamically stable clients.
4
Evaluate the task of explaining surgical risks and benefits for informed consent.
Matched to the Primary Healthcare Provider.
The provider performing the medical procedure is legally obligated to explain its risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Key Concept

Delegation and Scope of Practice Guidelines
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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