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Difficulty: MediumAssignment, Delegation and Supervision

The nursing team on a specialized gastroenterology unit consists of a registered nurse (RN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). The RN is reviewing the current needs of four assigned clients to determine appropriate task delegation. Which of the following interventions is safe and most appropriate to assign to the UAP?

  1. Measuring and recording the total volume of oral fluid intake and urine output for a client with acute gastroenteritis.Answer
  2. B
    Assessing the characteristics and intensity of abdominal pain after administering an intravenous analgesic.
  3. C
    Providing written and verbal instructions regarding a gluten-free diet to a client newly diagnosed with celiac disease.
  4. D
    Monitoring the blood pressure of a client who just began passing large amounts of bright red blood from the rectum.

Answer

Measuring and recording the total volume of oral fluid intake and urine output for a client with acute gastroenteritis.
Measuring and recording intake and output is a routine, standard procedure that does not require specialized nursing judgment or assessment. This task safely falls within the expected scope of practice for an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) when caring for a stable client.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the scope of practice for an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
UAPs are permitted to perform routine, standard, and unchanging tasks such as measuring vital signs on stable clients, assisting with personal hygiene, and recording intake and output.
Understanding the defined scope of practice is essential for safe and legal delegation.
2
Evaluate each option against the EAT framework (Evaluate, Assess, Teach).
Pain assessment involves evaluation; diet instruction involves teaching; caring for a client with active lower gastrointestinal bleeding requires immediate RN assessment.
The RN retains accountability for the nursing process and cannot delegate evaluation, assessment, or teaching.
3
Select the task that involves a stable client and fits within the UAP's established scope.
Recording intake and output for a client with gastroenteritis is a routine data collection task that does not require independent nursing judgment.
This task adheres to the Five Rights of Delegation and ensures client safety.

Key Concept

Delegating tasks to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) according to NCSBN guidelines.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Assignment, Delegation and Supervision

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