After receiving a change of shift report for clients on a medical surgical unit, which activity should the nurse delegate to the practical nurse (PN)?
Evaluate and update plans of care for clients.
Verify the readiness of clients for discharge.
Insert urinary catheters for uncomplicated clients.
Receive a postoperative client and conduct the assessment.
The Correct Answer is C
Delegation involves assigning tasks to individuals who have the appropriate skills and competence to perform them safely and effectively. Inserting urinary catheters for uncomplicated clients is a task that can be delegated to a practical nurse. It is a common procedure within the scope of practice for a practical nurse, and it does not require the level of assessment and critical thinking involved in evaluating and updating plans of care or receiving a postoperative client and conducting an assessment.
Verifying the readiness of clients for discharge typically involves comprehensive assessments, coordination with other healthcare professionals, and decision-making regarding the appropriateness of discharge. This task is generally performed by registered nurses (RNs) or other members of the healthcare team with advanced training.
Evaluating and updating plans of care for clients is a responsibility that falls within the scope of practice of registered nurses. It requires a higher level of assessment, clinical judgment, and decision-making, which are typically beyond the scope of practice of a practical nurse.
Receiving a postoperative client and conducting the assessment involves comprehensive assessment skills and critical thinking, which are typically within the scope of practice of a registered nurse or an advanced practice nurse.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct- Zidovudine is an antiretroviral medication used in the treatment of HIV infection.
One of the potential side effects of zidovudine is hematological toxicity, including anemia (low red blood cell count) and neutropenia (low white blood cell count). The appearance of pinpoint, red, round spots on the skin could be indicative of petechiae, which are small hemorrhages caused by the leakage of blood into the skin. Petechiae can occur due to low platelet counts, a
component of the complete blood count (CBC). Monitoring the complete blood count is important for clients receiving zidovudine to identify any potential adverse effects on blood cell counts. Anemia and neutropenia can increase the risk of infection, bleeding, and other complications. Therefore, any changes in blood cell counts, including the presence of petechiae, should be reported to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
B) Incorrect- This is used to assess allergic reactions and is not specifically related to the appearance of petechiae.
C) Incorrect- A skin biopsy is typically performed to diagnose skin conditions or diseases and is not the primary assessment to evaluate the cause of petechiae.
D) Incorrect- Electromyography is a diagnostic test used to assess muscle and nerve function and is not relevant to the appearance of petechiae associated with zidovudine use.

Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A low serum creatinine level indicates decreased muscle mass or impaired kidney function. However, it does not necessarily indicate that the 24-hour creatinine clearance test should be withheld or delayed.
Initiating the urine collection as prescribed allows for the accurate assessment of creatinine clearance and provides valuable information about the client's kidney function. The test results can help guide further evaluation and management of the client's condition.
Assessing the client's serum BUN level, notifying the healthcare provider of the results, or assessing for signs of hypokalemia may be relevant in certain situations but are not the immediate priority based on the information provided.
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