A practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the shift assignment and a list of requested tasks on a medical-surgical step-down unit. Which of the following tasks fall within the PN's legal scope of practice and are appropriate to accept? Select all that apply.
- Witnessing a client voluntarily sign a procedural consent form after the healthcare provider has fully explained the risks and benefitsAnswer
- Performing a focused respiratory data collection on a stable client who is two days post-appendectomyAnswer
- Reinforcing previously established fluid restriction guidelines to a client with chronic kidney diseaseAnswer
- DAdministering a stat intravenous (IV) push dose of metoprolol to a client experiencing new-onset atrial fibrillation
- EExplaining the potential complications and alternative therapies for a thoracentesis to ensure the client is fully informed before signing the consent
- FConfirming a client's room number to a caller identifying as a clergy member, despite the client having explicitly opted out of the facility directory
Answer
The appropriate tasks for the practical nurse (PN) to accept are witnessing a surgical consent signature, performing focused data collection on a stable client, and reinforcing previously taught education.
The practical nurse (PN) functions safely under the supervision of the RN or provider. Tasks within the legal PN scope include performing focused data collection on clients with predictable outcomes, reinforcing education that was initially established by the RN, and acting strictly as a witness to an informed consent signature after the provider has fulfilled their duty to explain the procedure.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The practical nurse (PN) scope of practice encompasses focused data collection, reinforcing teaching, and performing established interventions on stable clients, while strictly excluding comprehensive assessment, initial care planning, and explaining procedural risks.