Editing Fundamentals of Nursing – RN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 2==
The registered nurse is planning assignments for a team that includes a licensed practical nurse and assistive personnel. Which tasks may the nurse delegate to the assistive personnel? '''Select all that apply.'''
# Measuring and recording vital signs on a stable patient two days after hip replacement.
# Assisting a patient with a shower who ambulates independently.
# Reinforcing discharge teaching about a low sodium diet.
# Recording oral intake and urine output on a patient with a stable fluid balance.
# Performing the admission assessment on a newly arrived patient.
# Applying sequential compression devices as prescribed.

'''Answer:''' 1, 2, 4, and 6.

''Rationale:'' Assistive personnel may perform standard, unchanging tasks with predictable outcomes for stable patients, including measuring vital signs, assisting with hygiene, recording intake and output, and applying compression devices. The nurse must still verify and interpret any values reported. Option 3 is incorrect because teaching, including reinforcement of teaching, requires a licensed nurse; a licensed practical nurse may reinforce teaching the registered nurse initiated, but assistive personnel may not. Option 5 is incorrect because the admission assessment requires nursing judgment and is a registered nurse responsibility that cannot be delegated.