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Difficulty: MediumAssignment, Delegation and Supervision

Care is being provided on an active oncology unit. The primary registered nurse (RN) is partnered with an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) for the shift. Which of the following tasks is safe and appropriate for the RN to delegate to the UAP?

  1. A
    Inspecting the character of the fluid collected in a closed-suction wound device following a mastectomy.
  2. Applying an over-the-counter moisture barrier cream to the intact sacral skin of an immobile client.Answer
  3. C
    Instructing visiting family members on the required isolation protocols for a client with severe neutropenia.
  4. D
    Measuring the oxygen saturation and respiratory rate of a client who suddenly reports severe shortness of breath.

Answer

Applying an over-the-counter moisture barrier cream to the intact sacral skin of an immobile client.
The correct answer describes a routine, standard hygiene task for a clinically stable client. Applying non-prescription moisture barrier cream to intact skin does not require advanced nursing assessment, clinical judgment, or teaching, making it a safe and appropriate task to delegate to a UAP.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze each option to determine if it involves assessment, clinical judgment, teaching, or evaluating (EAT).
The tasks of inspecting wound fluid and instructing family members fall under clinical assessment and teaching, respectively.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) strictly prohibits the delegation of any part of the nursing process (EAT) to unlicensed assistive personnel.
2
Evaluate the clinical stability of the clients described in the remaining options.
The client reporting sudden shortness of breath is clinically unstable. The immobile client requiring skin protection is clinically stable.
UAPs may only perform delegated tasks on stable clients with predictable outcomes. Unstable clients require rapid RN assessment.
3
Determine if the remaining task is within the routine scope of practice for a UAP.
Applying a non-medicated barrier cream to intact skin is identified as a routine hygiene measure.
Routine activities of daily living and basic skin care for intact skin are standard, low-risk responsibilities safely delegated to a UAP.

Key Concept

Delegation of Tasks to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel
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Topics

Assignment, Delegation and Supervision

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