A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is assigning tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to the AP?

Delegating tasks involves assigning appropriate responsibilities to assistive personnel based on their level of training, competency, and scope of practice. Performing indwelling urinary catheter care is a task that can be safely delegated to an AP who has received proper training and demonstrated competency in this skill. The nurse should ensure that the AP is familiar with the facility's policies and procedures regarding catheter care and can perform the task safely and effectively.

Demonstrating how to use an incentive spirometer requires specialized knowledge and the ability to provide clear instructions. It is typically within the scope of practice of licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses or respiratory therapists, who have the necessary expertise to properly educate and guide patients in using an incentive spirometer. This task should not be delegated to an AP.

Measuring and assessing the depth of a pressure injury requires clinical judgment and accurate evaluation, which falls within the scope of practice of a licensed nurse. It involves understanding wound assessment, proper technique for measuring depth, and interpreting the findings. This task should be performed by the nurse rather than an AP.

Changing the appliance on a new colostomy involves skills such as assessing the stoma, selecting the appropriate appliance, and ensuring proper application. This task requires specialized knowledge and training in stoma care, and it should be performed by a licensed nurse who has the expertise in managing ostomies. It should not be delegated to an AP.