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Question

Difficulty: MediumClient Care Assignments and Collaboration

During shift report on an inpatient oncology unit, the interdisciplinary team determines the plan of care for a group of clients. Which specific intervention is most appropriate for the practical nurse (PN) to accept?

  1. A
    Performing the initial comprehensive assessment for a newly transferred client with severe neutropenia.
  2. B
    Explaining the potential complications of a scheduled bone marrow aspiration to obtain informed consent.
  3. Administering a scheduled oral antiemetic to a client prior to a chemotherapy infusion.Answer
  4. D
    Discussing a client's recent tumor biopsy results with visiting relatives in the unit hallway.

Answer

Administering a scheduled oral antiemetic to a client prior to a chemotherapy infusion.
The correct answer involves administering a routine oral medication. This task is entirely appropriate for a PN to accept because it falls within their established scope of practice, which includes basic pharmacological therapies and caring for clients with predictable outcomes. Although the client will later receive chemotherapy (which is typically managed by an RN), the administration of a preparatory oral antiemetic is a standard, safe assignment for the PN.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze each proposed task against the legal scope of practice for a practical nurse.
Initial assessments, procedural education for consent, and hallway disclosures are identified as outside the PN scope or unsafe.
To ensure safe delegation and compliance with professional nursing standards.
2
Evaluate the medication administration task.
Administering an oral antiemetic is identified as a standard pharmacological intervention suitable for a PN.
While PNs generally do not administer complex chemotherapy infusions, administering a pre-medication orally is a routine, stable task within their scope.
3
Select the task that represents safe and appropriate assignment acceptance.
The oral medication administration is chosen as the correct action.
It aligns with the legal boundaries of PN practice while fostering effective team collaboration.

Key Concept

Delegation and Legal Scope of Practice for the Practical Nurse
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Topics

Client Care Assignments and Collaboration

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