The charge nurse is planning client care assignments for a registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN). Which of the following clients would be most appropriate to assign to the LPN?
The charge nurse is planning client care assignments for a registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN). Which of the following clients would be most appropriate to assign to the LPN?
A. A client requiring assistance picking out low potassium foods.
[47%]
B. A client requesting to leave the facility against medical advice (AMA).
[4%]
C. A client needing several prescriptions called into the local pharmacy.
[39%]
D. A client requesting breakthrough intravenous push (IV) pain medicine.
[10%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Leadership & Management
Lesson
Assignment/Delegation
Client Need
Test Plan
Management of Care
Related Topic
Assignment, Delegation and Supervision
Item Type
Item Type
Analysis
Explanation
Choice C is correct. A client requiring prescriptions called into a pharmacy is appropriate for an LPN. The rest of the options require the RN. An LPN may receive telephone orders from a primary healthcare provider (PHCP) and call in the appropriate prescriptions, when necessary.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Picking out low potassium foods from a menu would require the RN to perform this task since selecting these items involves teaching. The client leaving AMA would require the RN to intervene as the client would need to be educated on this consequential decision. IV pain medication would require an RN as it is not within the scope of the LPN to assess the client for pain and administer the pain medication IV push.
Related Videos
6 Key Topics
LPN Delegation
15.7 Delegation
RN Delegation
15.7 Delegation
Scope of Practice Overview
15.7 Delegation
Additional Info
When making client assignments, the nurse should always assign the most unstable client to the RN. This also involves clients requiring initial assessments or discharge teaching. The LPN may reinforce teaching, data collection, and care for clients with low acuity illnesses.
