A nurse is preparing to transfer a client who is non-weight bearing from the bed to a chair with the aid of an assistive personnel. The client is cooperative and has upper body strength. Which of the following assistive devices should the nurse use when transferring the client?

A. Changing a sterile dressing for a client who is postoperative: Changing a sterile dressing requires the use of sterile technique and nursing judgment, making it a task that must be performed by a licensed nurse, not delegated to assistive personnel.

B. Performing a gastrostomy feeding on a stable client: While assistive personnel can assist with feeding in general, administering a gastrostomy feeding requires specific assessment and verification of tube placement, which must be done by a licensed nurse.

C. Observing the patency of an intravenous catheter on a stable client: Observing and assessing IV catheter patency is a nursing responsibility. It requires assessment skills and cannot be delegated to assistive personnel.

D. Providing postmortem care to a client: Providing postmortem care, such as bathing, positioning, and preparing the body, is a task that can be safely delegated to assistive personnel, following proper facility protocols and respectful handling of the deceased.

A. Plan time at the end of the shift to document nursing interventions: Waiting until the end of the shift to document can lead to inaccuracies and missed details. It is more effective to document in real-time or immediately after providing care to ensure complete, accurate, and timely records, reducing errors and memory lapses.

B. Keep track of how long it takes to complete certain tasks: Monitoring how long tasks take helps the nurse better allocate time and identify where delays occur. This awareness allows for improved scheduling, more accurate prioritization, and realistic planning during the shift, leading to better time management.

C. Delegate collection of vital signs to the assistive personnel on the team: Delegating appropriate tasks, like vital signs collection, frees the nurse to focus on critical thinking, assessments, and interventions that require professional judgment. Proper delegation is an essential time-management strategy in providing efficient and safe client care.

D. Complete activities with one client before moving to another client: While thoroughness is important, it is not always efficient to rigidly finish all activities with one client before seeing others. Time-sensitive or urgent tasks with other clients may require interruptions, and flexibility is crucial for safe, effective care management.

E. Make a priority to do it at the beginning of the shift: Establishing priorities at the beginning of the shift ensures that essential and urgent needs are addressed promptly. Early planning helps organize tasks efficiently, reduces chaos during busy periods, and helps maintain focus throughout the shift.