A home health nurse is planning her daily visits and receives laboratory results for four adult clients. The nurse should first visit the client who has which of the following laboratory values?

The correct answer isChoice C.

Choice A rationale:

Instructing a client on how to take their blood pressure is a task that involves providing education to the client on a non-invasive procedure that they can perform independently. However, this task requires a certain level of knowledge and understanding that an assistive personnel (AP) may not possess. Therefore, it is not the best task to delegate to an AP.

Choice B rationale:

Administering subcutaneous medications to a client is a task that requires a high level of skill and knowledge. It involves understanding the medication, its side effects, and the correct administration technique. This is a task that should be performed by a nurse or a healthcare professional with the appropriate training and licensure. Delegating this task to an AP could potentially put the client’s health at risk.

Choice C rationale:

Determining a client’s intake and output is a task that can be delegated to an AP.This task does not require the use of the nursing process and is within the range of function of an AP. It involves measuring and recording the amount of fluid a client consumes and excretes, which is a task that an AP is capable of performing.

Choice D rationale:

Providing a status update to a client’s family member is a task that requires a high level of discretion and understanding of the client’s condition. It involves communicating sensitive information about the client’s health status, which should be done by a nurse or a healthcare professional with the appropriate training and licensure. Delegating this task to an AP could potentially lead to miscommunication or a breach of the client’s privacy.

Choice A rationale:

A podiatrist specializes in foot-related issues. Osteoarthritis primarily affects joints, so referring the client to a podiatrist would not directly address their difficulty in buttoning clothes.

Choice B rationale:

A social worker typically addresses psychosocial needs, including emotional and financial concerns. While important, this role wouldn't directly address the client's physical difficulty with buttoning clothes due to osteoarthritis.

Choice C rationale:

Paramedical technologists are skilled in various diagnostic tests and procedures. However, they are not directly involved in assisting clients with activities of daily living or improving physical function.

Choice D rationale:

An occupational therapist (OT) specializes in helping clients regain and enhance their ability to perform daily activities, such as dressing, grooming, and self-care. For the client with osteoarthritis struggling to button clothes, an OT would assess their physical limitations and provide strategies or adaptive tools to improve independence in these activities.