After a change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first?

Choice A rationale

Mixing insulin glargine and lispro in the same syringe is contraindicated due to their incompatible chemical formulations. Glargine’s acidic pH alters lispro’s effectiveness when mixed, impairing glycemic control. Separate administration preserves their individual pharmacokinetics and therapeutic actions.

Choice B rationale

Separate injections ensure each insulin maintains its unique action profile. Glargine provides basal control, while lispro manages rapid postprandial spikes. Their chemical incompatibility mandates separate administration, optimizing glycemic management and reducing potential adverse effects from mixed formulations.

Choice A rationale

Assisting the patient to the bathroom is within the scope of practice for a Nursing Aide (NA) and does not require advanced training, making it an appropriate task to delegate while ensuring patient needs are met.

Choice B rationale

Teaching weight-bearing precautions involves patient education, which is the responsibility of the Registered Nurse (RN) due to the need for professional judgment and instruction clarity.

Choice C rationale

Pain level assessment requires critical thinking and professional judgment, which are within the RN’s scope of practice. This cannot be delegated to an NA.

Choice D rationale

Instruction on incentive spirometer use requires understanding of therapeutic goals, patient capability, and respiratory assessment, tasks specific to the RN and beyond the scope of an NA.