A nurse is caring for a client who complains about sleep apnea.
Which delivery device would the nurse expect to use to administer oxygen to this client while sleeping?

Choice A rationale

Before delegating any nursing task, the nurse must first determine if the action is permissible under the state's nurse practice act and the employing agency's policies. These regulations define the scope of practice for nurses and the tasks that can be safely and legally delegated to unlicensed personnel. If delegation is not allowed by these governing bodies, the subsequent questions become irrelevant.

Choice B rationale

While it is crucial to ensure that the UAP has been adequately trained and is competent to perform the delegated task safely and correctly, this consideration comes after establishing the legality and permissibility of the delegation according to the nurse practice act and agency policy. Training is important for safe implementation but not the initial determining factor.

Choice C rationale

Appropriate supervision is necessary when delegating tasks to UAPs to ensure client safety and provide guidance. However, the ability to delegate the task itself must first be established by legal and policy guidelines. Supervision is a component of safe delegation but not the primary question determining if delegation is even an option.

Choice D rationale

Evaluating the client's past response to a treatment might inform how the task is performed or any specific observations needed, but it does not determine the fundamental question of whether the task can be delegated to a UAP in the first place. Legal and policy frameworks dictate the scope of delegation, regardless of the client's history. .

Choice A rationale

While it might seem natural to inquire about prior discussions, this response could induce guilt or regret in the spouse and doesn't directly address the current emotional distress and uncertainty about the spouse's wishes as explicitly stated in the advance directive. It shifts the focus to the past rather than the present need for clarification regarding the existing directive.

Choice B rationale

Although the primary care provider may indeed have the client's best interests in mind, this statement dismisses the spouse's expressed uncertainty and relies on an assumption about the PCP's motivations. It doesn't help the spouse understand or feel confident about the content of the advance directive, which is the core of their concern.

Choice C rationale

This statement, while true, places the burden of decision-making solely on the spouse without acknowledging the existence of the advance directive, which is meant to guide such decisions. It overlooks the possibility that the directive already contains the spouse's wishes and could offer clarity, thereby increasing the spouse's anxiety.

Choice D rationale

This response directly addresses the spouse's statement by reminding them that their spouse's wishes are likely documented in the advance directive. It encourages the spouse to review the directive, which is the most direct way to understand what their spouse wanted regarding medical interventions like a PEG tube, thus providing immediate and relevant support.