Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumClient Care Assignments and Collaboration

The nursing care team on a medical-surgical unit consists of a Registered Nurse (RN), a Practical/Vocational Nurse (PN/VN), and an Assistive Personnel (AP). Match each clinical task to the most appropriate interprofessional team member based on their legal scope of practice and safe delegation principles.

  • Initiating the first dose of a newly prescribed intravenous antibiotic for a client with cellulitisRegistered Nurse (RN)
  • Reinforcing previously taught instructions regarding incentive spirometry to a client recovering from pneumoniaPractical/Vocational Nurse (PN/VN)
  • Assisting a medically stable client with transferring from the bed to a bedside commodeAssistive Personnel (AP)

Answer

Initiating the first dose of an IV antibiotic is assigned to the Registered Nurse (RN); Reinforcing previously taught instructions is assigned to the Practical/Vocational Nurse (PN/VN); Assisting a medically stable client with transferring is assigned to the Assistive Personnel (AP).
Delegation decisions must strictly align with each team member's legal scope of practice. The RN maintains responsibility for initial assessments, care planning, and high-risk procedures such as first-dose IV medications. The PN/VN is qualified to reinforce existing education and perform focused assessments or standard nursing procedures on stable clients. The AP is properly assigned routine, low-risk activities of daily living for clients with predictable outcomes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the task of initiating a first dose of an intravenous antibiotic.
This procedure involves high risk for allergic reactions and requires continuous comprehensive assessment.
Initial client assessment and administration of high-risk initial IV medications fall strictly under the RN scope of practice.
2
Analyze the task of reinforcing previously taught instructions regarding incentive spirometry.
This is a follow-up educational task rather than the development of an initial teaching plan.
The PN/VN is legally permitted to reinforce teaching that was initially performed by the RN, as it does not require formulating a new educational plan.
3
Analyze the task of assisting a medically stable client to a bedside commode.
This is a standard, routine activity of daily living (ADL) with a predictable and stable outcome.
Standard ADLs on clients whose conditions are stable can be safely delegated to Assistive Personnel (AP) according to the five rights of delegation.

Key Concept

Delegation and Scope of Practice for the Interprofessional Team
Rate this question

Topics

Client Care Assignments and Collaboration

More questions from this topic