After months of heavy patient loads and staffing issues in the Emergency Department, a natural disaster brings in many seriously injured individuals. A staff nurse appears to neglect some injured patients and is rude to two older adults. Upon noting this behavior of the staff, which of the following should the nurse manager suspect?

Choice A Reason:

Documenting the admission assessment in the chart is not typically within the scope of practice for an LPN. Admission assessments are comprehensive evaluations that require the clinical judgment and expertise of an RN. LPNs can assist with data collection, but the final assessment and documentation should be completed by an RN.

Choice B Reason:

Verifying with the client which medications they are taking is an appropriate task to delegate to an LPN. This task involves gathering information from the client, which is within the LPN’s scope of practice. The LPN can then report this information back to the RN, who will use it to make clinical decisions and update the care plan.

Choice C Reason:

Using client assessment findings to draw a conclusion and develop a plan is beyond the scope of practice for an LPN. This task requires critical thinking and clinical judgment, which are responsibilities of the RN. The LPN can assist in collecting assessment data, but the interpretation and planning should be done by the RN.

Choice D Reason:

Performing a complete assessment of the client is not typically within the LPN’s scope of practice. While LPNs can perform focused assessments and collect data, comprehensive assessments require the clinical expertise of an RN. The RN is responsible for the overall evaluation and care planning for the client.

Choice A Reason:

Manual data entry is a task that can be efficiently handled by AI-enhanced technology. Automating data entry can reduce errors, save time, and allow nurses to focus on more critical aspects of patient care. Therefore, it is not essential to emphasize that AI should never replace manual data entry.

Choice B Reason:

Information management involves organizing, storing, and retrieving data. While AI can significantly enhance information management by providing quick access to data and improving accuracy, it is not the core aspect that should never be replaced. AI can support and streamline information management processes, making them more efficient.

Choice C Reason:

Nursing knowledge and wisdom are irreplaceable by AI. These encompass critical thinking, clinical judgment, empathy, and the ability to make complex decisions based on a holistic understanding of the patient. AI can assist by providing data and recommendations, but it cannot replicate the nuanced understanding and experience that nurses bring to patient care. Emphasizing that AI should never replace nursing knowledge and wisdom ensures that the human element remains central to patient care.

Choice D Reason:

Simple nursing tasks, such as routine monitoring and documentation, can be effectively managed by AI-enhanced technology. Automating these tasks can free up nurses to engage in more complex and patient-centered activities. Therefore, it is not crucial to emphasize that AI should never replace simple nursing tasks.