The charge nurse plans client care assignments for an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) in the medical-surgical unit.
Which activity should the charge nurse delegate to the LPN/VN to maximize staff resources?
The charge nurse plans client care assignments for an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) in the medical-surgical unit.
Which activity should the charge nurse delegate to the LPN/VN to maximize staff resources?
A. Perform wound care and dressing changes
[83%]
B. Collect routine vital signs (VS)
[11%]
C. Turn all bedbound clients every two hours
[3%]
D. Ambulate clients with ambulation orders
[3%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Leadership & Management
Lesson
Management Concepts
Client Need
Test Plan
Management of Care
Related Topic
Assignment, Delegation and Supervision
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice A is correct. To maximize staff resources, the charge nurse should delegate tasks based on the scope of practice and the level of skill required. LPNs and VNs are trained to perform more complex and sterile procedures, such as wound care, dressing changes, catheter insertion, medication administration (except IV push), and data collection. It is appropriate for the LPN/VN to be assigned to perform the dressing changes.
Choice B is incorrect. Although LPNs can perform this task, it is considered basic and non-complex. UAPs are qualified to take and report routine vital signs. Assigning this to an LPN would not be the most effective use of their skill set and would underutilize their capabilities.
Choice C is incorrect. This is an important task for preventing pressure injuries, but it is considered routine, non-sterile, and physical. It is well within the UAP’s role. Delegating this to an LPN would not be an efficient use of their clinical training.
Choice D is incorrect. Ambulating stable clients with mobility orders is also a task that can be performed safely by a UAP. It does not require the level of clinical training held by an LPN unless the client is unstable or requires close monitoring, in which case the RN would be more appropriate.
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6 Key Topics
UAP Delegation
15.7 Delegation
LPN Delegation
15.7 Delegation
Scope of Practice Overview
