A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube following a thoracotomy. Which of the following findings requires intervention by the nurse?

A. Inserting an indwelling catheter is within the scope of practice for an LPN and requires technical skill and training that an LPN possesses. This task is appropriate for delegation because it does not require the RN's direct clinical judgment or assessment at the time of insertion. The LPN can perform this procedure based on a specific directive from the RN.
B. Obtaining the abdominal girth is a task that involves assessment and this cannot be delegated by the RN to an LPN.

C. Assessing and documenting the level of consciousness involves critical thinking and

interpretation of assessment findings, making it more appropriate for the registered nurse to perform.

D. Measuring gastric drainage is a task that the LPN can perform, but it is less critical compared to the insertion of an indwelling catheter in this scenario. The RN should prioritize delegating tasks to the LPN that require their specific skills, such as catheter insertion, while reserving simpler tasks for the AP.

A. A client who is 3 hr post Foley catheter removal and has not voided - While this may require assessment, it is not as urgent as assessing a client with potentially significant respiratory complications.

B. A client who is 3 days postoperative colectomy with a large, loose melena stool - While melena may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, the client is not actively experiencing a respiratory issue.

C. A client who is 1 day postoperative total hip replacement with a pain level of 7 on a scale of 0 to 10 - Pain is important to address, but it is not as urgent as respiratory distress.

D. A client who is coughing up pink-tinged sputum following a bronchoscopy and lung biopsy 1 hr ago - Pink-tinged sputum may indicate bleeding from the respiratory tract, which could be a complication of the procedure and requires immediate assessment and intervention.