Which task could a nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) assigned to a cardiac surgery unit?
A.
Teaching a client how to use a pillow to support an incision when coughing.
B.
Checking the pedal pulses of the bed-bound clients.
C.
Ambulating the first-day postoperative clients.
D.
Emptying the urine drainage bags at least once per shift.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Emptying the urine drainage bags at least once per shift.
Explanation:
In a cardiac surgery unit, nurses often work alongside Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) to ensure that all tasks are performed efficiently. UAPs, also known as nursing assistants or aides, are trained to assist with basic care tasks, but they do not have the scope of practice to perform tasks that require clinical judgment or specialized knowledge.
Delegation Principles:
When delegating tasks to UAPs, nurses must consider the following principles:
- Right Task: The task must be within the UAP’s scope of practice and should not require critical thinking, clinical judgment, or complex skills.
- Right Circumstance: The client’s condition should be stable, and the outcome of the task should be predictable.
- Right Person: The UAP should have the appropriate training and competency to perform the task.
- Right Direction/Communication: The nurse should provide clear, specific instructions and expectations.
- Right Supervision: The nurse should monitor the task and be available for assistance if needed.
Option D: Emptying the Urine Drainage Bags
Emptying urine drainage bags is a routine, non-invasive task that does not require specialized knowledge or clinical judgment. UAPs are trained to perform this task, and it falls within their scope of practice. This task also does not involve any decision-making or assessment, making it appropriate for delegation to UAPs.
Other Options:
- Option A: Teaching a client how to use a pillow to support an incision when coughing. Teaching requires specialized knowledge of postoperative care and the ability to assess the client’s understanding and ability to perform the technique. This is within the nurse’s scope of practice and should not be delegated to a UAP.
- Option B: Checking the pedal pulses of the bed-bound clients. Checking pedal pulses involves assessment skills, including the ability to detect changes in pulse quality, which requires clinical judgment. This task should be performed by a nurse, not a UAP.
- Option C: Ambulating the first-day postoperative clients. Ambulating first-day postoperative clients, especially those who have undergone cardiac surgery, requires monitoring for signs of complications, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness. This task involves assessment and should be performed by a nurse or under close supervision.
In summary, when delegating tasks to UAPs in a cardiac surgery unit, the nurse must ensure that the tasks are appropriate for the UAP’s level of training and do not require clinical judgment. Emptying urine drainage bags is a task that meets these criteria, making it suitable for delegation.