A nurse is planning care for a group of clients at the beginning of the shift. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

Rationale:

A. Comparing the number of medication errors before and after implementing changes provides a direct measure of the effectiveness of those changes.

B. Conducting a study on costs is relevant but not directly related to evaluating the effectiveness in reducing medication errors.

C. Establishing a benchmark is useful for setting standards but does not measure the impact of changes already implemented.

D. Quantifying staff satisfaction is important for assessing the acceptance of changes but does not directly measure the effectiveness in reducing errors.

A. Reassign the task to another nurse: While reassignment may be an option, it does not address the underlying issue. Ensuring the LPN has the knowledge and skill to complete the task is more effective in addressing both immediate and future concerns.

B. Report the issue to the unit manager: Reporting to the manager might be appropriate if the issue persists or reflects repeated non-compliance. However, verifying the LPN's competence and addressing the problem directly should be the first step.

C. Change the client’s dressing: While changing the dressing resolves the immediate client need, it does not address the issue of delegation or why the task was not completed. This approach bypasses the opportunity to assess and support the LPN.

D. Verify the LPN knows how to do a dressing change: Before taking further action, the charge nurse should determine why the task was not completed. If the LPN lacks the knowledge or skill to perform a dressing change, the nurse must address this gap and provide appropriate education or support to ensure client care is not compromised.