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Difficulty: MediumClient Care Assignments and Collaboration

The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the client care assignments for the upcoming shift. Which of the following client assignments is most appropriate for the PN to accept?

  1. A client who is 2 days postoperative following an open cholecystectomy and requires a sterile dressing change.Answer
  2. B
    A client who was just admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis and requires continuous intravenous (IV) insulin.
  3. C
    A client who requires an initial admission assessment and the development of a comprehensive nursing care plan.
  4. D
    A client who is experiencing sudden, severe chest pain and requires immediate intravenous (IV) push morphine.

Answer

The most appropriate assignment for the practical nurse (PN) is the client who is 2 days postoperative and requires a sterile dressing change.
The correct answer identifies a stable client with predictable outcomes. A client who is 2 days postoperative and requires a sterile dressing change does not need the advanced clinical judgment or assessment of a registered nurse (RN). Performing sterile dressing changes on stable clients is a fundamental competency within the practical nurse (PN) scope of practice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze each client's condition and required care against the practical nurse (PN) scope of practice.
Identified that three of the four clients require RN-level care, such as continuous IV insulin, initial assessments, and IV push medications.
The PN scope of practice requires distinguishing between stable clients with predictable outcomes and unstable clients requiring advanced clinical judgment.
2
Select the assignment that involves a stable client and tasks within the PN's legal boundaries.
The 2 days postoperative client requiring a sterile dressing change is identified as the only appropriate choice.
This client is recovering predictably, and the required task (sterile dressing change) is a standard PN competency.

Key Concept

Delegation and Scope of Practice for the Practical Nurse (PN)
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Topics

Client Care Assignments and Collaboration

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