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?

A. Inserting an indwelling catheter involves an invasive procedure and assessment of urinary output and client status, which falls within the RN’s scope of practice in a high-risk client such as one with acute liver failure.

B. Obtaining abdominal girth requires assessment skills and interpretation for changes in ascites, which is more appropriate for the RN to ensure accurate monitoring.

C. Assessing and documenting level of consciousness is a critical assessment, especially in liver failure where hepatic encephalopathy is a risk. This is within the RN’s responsibility because changes can be subtle and require immediate intervention.

D. Measuring the amount of gastric drainage every 2 hours is a stable, routine task that follows established parameters and does not require advanced assessment skills. It is within the LPN’s scope and can be safely delegated, with the RN overseeing interpretation of any abnormal findings.