Infection prevention strategies include:

Choice A: Masking before interviewing a patient about health history
Masking is generally used when there is a risk of exposure to respiratory droplets, such as when a patient has a known or suspected respiratory infection. However, it is not typically required for a standard health history interview unless there is a specific risk of exposure to infectious agents.
Choice B: Gloving before wiping pink sputum off the bedrail
This is the correct answer. Standard precautions include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves when there is a potential for contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, or contaminated items. Wiping pink sputum off the bedrail involves contact with potentially infectious material, making gloves necessary to prevent the spread of infection.
Choice C: Applying goggles before helping a patient to ambulate in the hall
Goggles or face shields are used when there is a risk of splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions. Helping a patient to ambulate in the hall does not typically involve such risks, so goggles are not usually required in this scenario.
Choice D: Gowning prior to delivering a food tray to a patient
Gowns are used to protect skin and clothing from contamination when there is a risk of exposure to infectious material. Delivering a food tray to a patient does not generally pose such a risk, so gowning is not necessary for this task under standard precautions.

Choice A reason:

Instructing the client to hold a pillow to the abdominal incision when coughing is a task that involves patient education and reinforcement of postoperative care techniques. While LPNs/LVNs can provide basic patient education, this specific task requires ensuring that the patient understands the importance of splinting the incision to reduce pain and prevent complications such as wound dehiscence. This level of instruction is typically within the scope of practice for a registered nurse (RN), who has more extensive training in patient education and postoperative care. Therefore, this task is not the most appropriate for delegation to an LPN/LVN.

Choice B reason:

Obtaining bedside blood glucose is a task that is appropriate for delegation to an LPN/LVN. LPNs/LVNs are trained to perform routine tasks such as monitoring vital signs, including blood glucose levels, especially in patients with diabetes. This task involves using a glucometer to measure the patient’s blood sugar levels and recording the results. It does not require complex clinical judgment, making it suitable for an LPN/LVN. Regular monitoring of blood glucose is crucial for managing diabetes and preventing complications such as hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

Choice C reason:

Creating the plan of care is a complex task that involves comprehensive assessment, critical thinking, and clinical judgment. This task is typically within the scope of practice for an RN, who is trained to develop and implement individualized care plans based on a thorough assessment of the patient’s needs, medical history, and current condition. The RN collaborates with other healthcare team members to ensure that the care plan addresses all aspects of the patient’s recovery and health maintenance. LPNs/LVNs can contribute to the care plan by providing input and performing delegated tasks, but they do not have the authority to create the plan of care independently.

Choice D reason:

Documenting postoperative teaching involves recording the education provided to the patient about their postoperative care, including instructions on medication, activity restrictions, wound care, and signs of complications to watch for. This task requires ensuring that the patient understands the information and can follow the instructions correctly. While LPNs/LVNs can reinforce teaching and provide basic education, the initial comprehensive teaching and documentation are typically the responsibility of an RN. The RN ensures that the teaching is thorough and that the patient has the necessary knowledge to manage their care at home.