A nurse delegates tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an assistive personnel (AP). When admitting a client who is experiencing acute liver failure and who has ascites and an NG tube, which of the following tasks is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the LPN?
insert an indwelling catheter if the client has not voided in 3hr
Obtain the abdominal girth now and every 4 hr.
Assess and document the level of consciousness every hour.
Measure the amount of gastric drainage every 2 hrs
The Correct Answer is D
A. Insert an indwelling catheter if the client has not voided in 3 hr: Inserting an indwelling catheter involves an invasive procedure and requires clinical judgment and assessment for contraindications such as coagulopathy, which is common in acute liver failure. This task should remain with the registered nurse (RN) rather than being delegated to an LPN.
B. Obtain the abdominal girth now and every 4 hr: Measuring abdominal girth is a repetitive, non-invasive monitoring task that is within the scope of practice of assistive personnel. The RN should delegate this task to the AP, allowing the LPN to perform tasks requiring slightly higher clinical skills.
C. Assess and document the level of consciousness every hour: Assessing neurological status requires ongoing clinical judgment and the ability to detect subtle changes in mental status, which is critical in clients with hepatic encephalopathy. This responsibility cannot be delegated and must be performed by the RN.
D. Measure the amount of gastric drainage every 2 hrs: Monitoring and documenting the amount of NG tube drainage is within the scope of practice for an LPN. It requires basic assessment skills, accurate measurement, and reporting changes to the RN, making it appropriate to delegate to the LPN.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Inform the client of available community resources: While providing information about resources is important for ongoing support, it is secondary to assessing the client’s current understanding and emotional state regarding their terminal diagnosis.
B. Assist the client in finding child care options: Child care support is a practical need but should be addressed after establishing the client’s comprehension of their condition and immediate priorities for care and planning.
C. Agree upon short-term goals for the client: Goal setting is essential for care planning, but it depends on the client’s understanding of their prognosis and needs. Establishing understanding first ensures that goals are realistic and meaningful.
D. Ask the client about their understanding of the diagnosis: Clarifying the client’s understanding is the priority because it guides all subsequent teaching, decision-making, and care planning. It ensures that interventions align with the client’s knowledge, values, and preferences at this critical stage.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Report of a chronic dull ache in the eyes: Eye discomfort or ache is more commonly associated with conditions like glaucoma or eye strain. Cataracts are typically painless and do not produce chronic dull ache.
B. Bilateral redness of the sclerae: Redness of the sclera indicates inflammation or infection, such as conjunctivitis, and is not a characteristic sign of cataracts.
C. Increased opacity of the lens of the eye: Cataracts are defined by a clouding or opacity of the eye’s lens, which interferes with light transmission and vision. This physical change in the lens is the hallmark finding in cataract development.
D. Report of seeing halos around lights: Seeing halos is more commonly associated with glaucoma due to increased intraocular pressure, rather than cataracts. While cataracts may cause blurred or dim vision, halos are not the primary symptom.
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