A nurse is delegating tasks for an assistive personnel (AP) to perform for a client who is 1-day postoperative following cardiac surgery. Which of the following tasks should the nurse perform herself?

Helping the client into the shower

Ambulating the client in the hallway

Measuring vital signs

Removing the sternal dressing

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Helping the client into the shower: This task can be safely delegated to an assistive personnel (AP). The AP can help the client with activities of daily living such as showering, as long as the client is stable and does not require close monitoring.

B. Ambulating the client in the hallway: This task can also be delegated to an AP. Assisting with ambulation is within the scope of practice for an AP, provided the client is stable and there are no specific concerns that require a nurse’s assessment.

C. Measuring vital signs: While measuring vital signs is a critical task, it can be delegated to an AP. The AP can be trained to accurately measure and report vital signs. However, the nurse should review and interpret the results.

D. Removing the sternal dressing: This is the correct answer. Removing a sternal dressing after cardiac surgery is a complex task that requires a nurse’s expertise2. The nurse needs to assess the surgical site for signs of infection or complications, which is beyond the scope of practice for an AP. Therefore, this task should not be delegated and should be performed by the nurse herself

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Expert opinions: While expert opinions can provide valuable insights, they are considered lower in the hierarchy of evidence. They do not undergo the rigorous testing and peer review that higher levels of evidence, such as systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, do.

B. Credible websites: Credible websites can be a good source of information, but they are not considered the highest level of evidence. The information on websites can vary greatly in quality and may not be peer-reviewed.

C. Qualitative studies: Qualitative studies can provide in-depth information about specific topics, but they are not considered the highest level of evidence. They often involve smaller sample sizes and do not provide the same level of quantitative data as systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials.

D. Systematic review: This is correct. Systematic reviews are considered the highest level of evidence in the hierarchy. They involve a comprehensive search of multiple databases to identify all relevant studies on a particular topic, followed by a rigorous assessment of the quality of each study. The results are then synthesized to provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence.

A. "I’ll breathe deeply and cough every 4 hours." B. "I’ll splint my incision with a pillow to cough." C. " I’ll start to use the incentive spirometer when I can get out of bed." D. " I’ll lie flat in bed to cough and deep breath."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

(A) "I’ll breathe deeply and cough every 4 hours."
Deep breathing and coughing exercises should be done more frequently, typically every 1-2 hours while awake, to help prevent respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.

(B) "I’ll splint my incision with a pillow to cough."
This statement indicates an understanding of the instructions. Splinting the incision with a pillow helps support the surgical site, reduces pain, and makes coughing more effective and less uncomfortable. This technique is important for clients to use to help clear secretions from the lungs postoperatively.

(C) "I’ll start to use the incentive spirometer when I can get out of bed."
The use of an incentive spirometer should begin as soon as possible, usually while the client is still in bed, to encourage deep breathing and prevent postoperative respiratory complications. It should not be delayed until the client can get out of bed.

(D) "I’ll lie flat in bed to cough and deep breathe."
Lying flat is not the optimal position for deep breathing and coughing exercises, as it can make it more difficult to fully expand the lungs. The client should be positioned with the head of the bed elevated or sitting up to facilitate better lung expansion and more effective coughing.

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A nurse is delegating tasks for an assistive personnel (AP) to perform for a client who is 1-day postoperative following cardiac surgery. Which of the following tasks should the nurse perform herself?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Explanation

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