Following the morning handoff on a busy medical-surgical unit, a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) reviews the newly assigned client roster. Which specific client situation requires the LPN/VN to immediately collaborate with the charge nurse to reassign the client to a registered nurse (RN)?
- AA client with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation who has a baseline oxygen saturation of 91% and requires scheduled oral corticosteroids.
- BA client preparing for a scheduled endoscopy who requires a witness for the informed consent signature and completion of the preoperative checklist.
- A client who sustained a pelvic fracture 12 hours ago and is exhibiting new-onset restlessness, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, and petechiae on the chest.Cevap
- DA client with a venous stasis ulcer who requires a complex sterile dressing change and reinforcement of previously taught nutritional guidelines.
Cevap
The client who sustained a pelvic fracture and is exhibiting new-onset restlessness, tachypnea, and chest petechiae must be reassigned to an RN.
The LPN/VN scope of practice mandates that care is provided to clients with stable conditions and predictable outcomes. A client with a recent pelvic fracture who suddenly develops restlessness, tachypnea, and a petechial rash is exhibiting the triad of symptoms associated with fat embolism syndrome. This is a life-threatening, highly unstable emergency that requires the comprehensive assessment, critical synthesis of data, and advanced intravenous interventions exclusive to the Registered Nurse (RN) scope of practice.
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Delegation and Scope of Practice for Unstable Clients