A nurse is delegating care for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse assign to a licensed practical nurse?
A.
A client who is scheduled for an endoscopy later today and requires an enema
B.
A newly admitted client who has sickle cell anemia and requires the development of an initial plan of care
C.
A client who had a myocardial infraction and will be transferring to the unit from the CCU
D.
A newly admitted client who has diabetes mellitus and requires initial teaching on self- administration of insulin
When delegating care, it’s important to match tasks with the appropriate level of nursing expertise. Here’s a breakdown of which task is suitable for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and why:
- A. A client who is scheduled for an endoscopy later today and requires an enema: This task is appropriate for an LPN. Administering enemas is within the scope of practice for LPNs and does not require the advanced assessment skills of a registered nurse (RN).
- B. A newly admitted client who has sickle cell anemia and requires the development of an initial plan of care: This task requires a thorough assessment and planning which is best handled by an RN. The initial plan of care involves comprehensive evaluation and coordination, which falls under the RN’s scope of practice.
- C. A client who had a myocardial infarction and will be transferring to the unit from the CCU: This client needs close monitoring and assessment due to their recent myocardial infarction. An RN should handle this task to ensure appropriate care and monitoring.
- D. A newly admitted client who has diabetes mellitus and requires initial teaching on self-administration of insulin: This involves patient education and initial teaching, which requires a detailed understanding of diabetes management. An RN is best suited for this task.
Correct Answer: A. A client who is scheduled for an endoscopy later today and requires an enema.
This task is appropriate for an LPN as it involves a specific procedure that can be carried out within their scope of practice, while the other tasks require more advanced assessment and care that should be handled by an RN.