Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyAssignment, Delegation and Supervision

A registered nurse (RN) is working with an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on an orthopedic unit. Which of the following tasks should the RN safely delegate to the UAP?

  1. Applying anti-embolism stockings to a client who is two days post-operativeAnswer
  2. B
    Assisting a client with their initial ambulation following a total knee replacement
  3. C
    Evaluating the effectiveness of a client's newly prescribed oral pain medication
  4. D
    Educating a client about the warning signs of a surgical site infection

Answer

Applying anti-embolism stockings to a client who is two days post-operative
Applying anti-embolism stockings to a stable client is a routine, standard procedure with a highly predictable outcome. It does not require nursing assessment, clinical judgment, or teaching, making it perfectly safe and appropriate to delegate to a UAP.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the standard scope of practice for an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
UAPs can perform routine, standard tasks that do not require nursing judgment, assessment, or teaching.
Understanding scope of practice boundaries is essential for safe task delegation.
2
Analyze each option against the delegation rules (Do not delegate Evaluation, Assessment, or Teaching).
Initial ambulation requires assessment, evaluating medication requires nursing judgment, and educating requires teaching. Applying stockings is the only routine task.
To determine which specific task is appropriate and safe to assign to the UAP.

Key Concept

Delegation to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel
Rate this question

Topics

Assignment, Delegation and Supervision

More questions from this topic