A nurse has several tasks to delegate to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse ask the AP to perform first?

Rationale:

A. Obtain a routine urine sample from a newly-admitted client is correct because this task is time-sensitive and directly related to the initial assessment and care planning for the newly admitted client. Early collection ensures that diagnostic information is available promptly to guide interventions and treatment. Prioritizing tasks that affect immediate client care and assessment aligns with safe delegation practices.

B. Pass fresh water to clients on the unit is incorrect as the first task because while hydration is important, it is not as urgent as obtaining diagnostic specimens that impact clinical decision-making. This task can be delegated after more time-sensitive responsibilities are addressed.

C. Transport a client to the radiology department for an x-ray is incorrect as the first task because although transporting clients is important, it is less urgent than tasks that directly affect immediate assessment or care of newly admitted clients. Timing may be flexible depending on the client’s condition and schedule.

D. Take an arterial blood gas (ABG) specimen to the laboratory is incorrect because this is more of a follow-up task after collection and typically has a short window for transport, but it does not take precedence over obtaining new assessment data for a newly admitted client.

Rationale:
A. Documenting that an incident report was completed is incorrect because incident reports are internal quality improvement tools and should not be mentioned in the client’s medical record. Including this information in the record could create legal implications and is not part of the patient’s clinical documentation.

B. "The provider was notified" is correct because the medical record should include factual, objective information about the client’s condition, the assessment findings, and communication with the healthcare team. Noting that the provider was notified ensures continuity of care and demonstrates that the nurse took appropriate action following the fall.

C. Documenting that an incident report was forwarded to risk management is incorrect for the same reason as option A. This is an internal process, not part of clinical documentation, and should not appear in the medical record.

D. "There were no injuries sustained" is incorrect as the sole documentation because it does not fully capture the nurse’s assessment or the communication with the provider. While noting the absence of injuries is important, documentation should include the client’s condition, assessment, and any notifications made.