A nurse is delegating tasks to a team of staff members for a 65-year-old female patient who is post-op day 1 following a total knee replacement. The patient has stable vital signs (BP 130/85, HR 78 bpm, RR 18) and is ambulating with assistance. The nurse is considering delegating tasks to the LPN. Which of the following tasks can the nurse safely delegate to the LPN?
Assisting the patient with ambulation and evaluating pain level.
Administering prescribed medication and monitoring for side effects.
Performing a full head-to-toe assessment and identifying any complications.
Educating the patient on discharge instructions for post-operative care.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Evaluating pain level requires RN judgment, though assisting with ambulation is within the LPN’s scope. Medication administration is fully delegable, making this incorrect, as it includes an assessment task beyond the LPN’s role in post-operative care.
Choice B reason: Administering prescribed medication and monitoring for side effects is within the LPN’s scope, ensuring safe delegation. This aligns with post-operative care protocols, making it the correct task the nurse can safely delegate to the LPN for the knee replacement patient.
Choice C reason: A full head-to-toe assessment and identifying complications require RN expertise, exceeding LPN scope. Medication administration is appropriate, making this incorrect, as it’s an improper delegation for the nurse to assign to the LPN post-surgery.
Choice D reason: Educating on discharge instructions involves teaching and evaluation, an RN responsibility. Administering medication is within LPN scope, making this incorrect, as it’s not a safe task for the nurse to delegate to the LPN for the patient.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pressuring the patient to proceed disregards her autonomy and right to revoke consent. Exploring her concerns respects her decision, making this incorrect, as it dismisses the patient’s expressed wish to cancel the mitral valve replacement surgery during transport.
Choice B reason: Highlighting rescheduling delays may coerce the patient, undermining her right to refuse. Addressing her fears validates her feelings, making this incorrect, as it prioritizes logistics over the patient’s autonomy and emotional state during the surgical consent process.
Choice C reason: Asking about the patient’s thoughts acknowledges her fear and respects her right to revoke consent, facilitating open communication. This aligns with ethical nursing practice, making it the correct response to support the patient’s decision regarding mitral valve replacement surgery.
Choice D reason: Dismissing the patient’s refusal with reassurance about medications ignores her autonomy and consent rights. Exploring her concerns is more appropriate, making this incorrect, as it fails to address the patient’s explicit wish to cancel the surgery during transport.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: A potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L risks lethal arrhythmias, necessitating cardiac monitoring. This aligns with hyperkalemia management, making it a correct priority action the nurse would plan to ensure the client’s safety and detect cardiac changes promptly.
Choice B reason: Notifying the provider is critical for a potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L, as urgent interventions like insulin or dialysis may be needed. This aligns with acute care protocols, making it a correct priority action for the nurse to address hyperkalemia.
Choice C reason: NPO status with ice chips is unrelated to hyperkalemia management, which focuses on lowering potassium. Cardiac monitoring is a priority, making this incorrect, as it’s not relevant to the nurse’s urgent actions for a client with severe hyperkalemia.
Choice D reason: Reviewing medications identifies potassium-containing or retaining drugs, preventing further elevation of 7.0 mEq/L. This aligns with hyperkalemia treatment, making it a correct priority action the nurse would plan to manage the client’s electrolyte imbalance effectively.
Choice E reason: Extra IV fluids (500 mL) may dilute potassium but risk fluid overload in acute kidney injury. Notifying the provider is more urgent, making this incorrect, as it’s not a priority compared to the nurse’s focus on immediate hyperkalemia interventions.
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