In relation to submersion injuries, which task is most appropriate to delegate to an LPN/LVN?
A. Stabilize the cervical spine for an unconscious drowning victim
B. Talk to a community group about water safety issues
C. Monitor an asymptomatic near-drowning victim
D. Remove wet clothing and cover the victim with a warm blanket
Correct Answer: C. Monitor an asymptomatic near-drowning victim.
The asymptomatic patient is currently stable but should be observed for delayed pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, or pneumonia. Appropriate decisions relating to the successful assignment of care are accurately based on the needs of the patient, the skills of the staff, the staffs’ position description or job descriptions, the employing facility’s policies and procedures, and legal aspects of care such as the states’ legal scopes of practice for nurses, nursing assistants and other members of the nursing team.
Option A: The care of critical patients is an RN’s responsibility. Some needs require high levels of professional judgment and skill, and other patient needs are somewhat routine and without the need for high levels of professional judgment and skill. Based on these characteristics and the total client needs for the group of clients that the registered nurse is responsible and accountable for, the registered nurse determines and analyzes all of the health care needs for a group of clients; the registered nurse delegates care that matches the skills of the person that the nurse is delegating to.
Option B: Teaching is an RN’s responsibility. Among the tasks that CANNOT be legally and appropriately delegated to nonprofessional, unlicensed assistive nursing personnel, such as nursing assistants, patient care technicians, and personal care aides, include assessments, nursing diagnosis, establishing expected outcomes, evaluating care, and any and all other tasks and aspects of care including but not limited to those that entail sterile technique, critical thinking, professional judgment, and professional knowledge.
Option D: Removing clothing can be delegated to a nursing assistant. The staff members’ levels of education, knowledge, past experiences, skills, abilities, and competencies are also evaluated and matched with the needs of all of the patients in the group of patients that will be cared for.
No comments:
Post a Comment