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
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
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Abdominal pain: Abdominal pain is not typically associated with respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs can’t remove enough carbon dioxide, resulting in an acidic blood pH.
B. Lethargy: Lethargy is a common symptom of respiratory acidosis. Patients may experience fatigue, especially during the daytime1. This is due to the increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which can cause confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue
C. Dry skin: Dry skin is not a common symptom of respiratory acidosis. The condition primarily affects the respiratory system and does not typically cause skin changes.
D. Numbness of fingers: While numbness of fingers can be a symptom of various conditions, it is not typically associated with respiratory acidosis. The primary symptoms of respiratory acidosis are related to increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, such as lethargy and confusion.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Vomiting:
Vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, resulting in increased bicarbonate levels in the blood. It does not directly contribute to metabolic acidosis.
B. Hyperventilation:
Hyperventilation can lead to respiratory alkalosis due to excessive elimination of carbon dioxide (CO2) through increased respiratory rate and depth. It is not associated with metabolic acidosis.
C. Diarrhea:
Diarrhea can lead to metabolic acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate-rich fluid from the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in decreased bicarbonate levels in the blood. While diarrhea can contribute to metabolic acidosis, it is not the case in this scenario.
D. Salicylate intoxication:
Salicylate intoxication, such as aspirin overdose, can lead to metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of salicylic acid, which is a weak acid that dissociates in the body, contributing to an increased anion gap metabolic acidosis. This is a direct cause of metabolic acidosis in this scenario.
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