A practical nurse (PN) is managing the care of a client with right-sided hemiparesis who is preparing for transfer to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Arrange the PN's collaborative, delegatory, and care coordination actions in the most appropriate chronological order.
- 1Collect focused data on the client's current unilateral weakness and baseline functional mobility.
- 2Communicate the collected mobility data to the interprofessional transition-of-care team.
- 3Collaborate with the Registered Nurse (RN) to update the client's nursing care plan with the team's recommendations.
- 4Provide explicit direction to the Assistive Personnel (AP) regarding the newly approved transfer techniques.
- 5Document the client's physiological response and tolerance to the updated mobility interventions.
Answer
The correct sequence begins with data collection, followed by interprofessional communication, RN collaboration for care plan modification, AP delegation, and concludes with documentation of the client's response.
The correct chronological order strictly adheres to the clinical nursing process and respects the legal boundaries of the PN/VN scope of practice. The PN must first collect independent data before presenting it to the interprofessional team. Once the team provides recommendations, the PN must collaborate with the RN to update the formal care plan, because independent care plan modification is outside the PN scope. Only after the care plan is updated can the PN safely and legally delegate the specific, approved transfer techniques to the Assistive Personnel (AP). Finally, the PN evaluates and documents the outcome of these delegated actions.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The practical nurse's role in care coordination emphasizes sequential data collection, interprofessional communication, adherence to scope of practice regarding care plan modification, and safe delegation based on established plans.