The ICU nurse is assigned to provide nursing care to a client receiving mechanical ventilation. Which action should you delegate to the experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Choice A reason: Slander refers to spoken defamation of a person's character. Since this situation does not involve any spoken statements that defame the client, slander is not applicable.

Choice B reason: Malpractice is a specific type of negligence that occurs when a healthcare professional fails to perform their duties to the required standard, resulting in harm to a patient. While closely related, in this scenario, the broader term negligence more accurately describes the failure to follow hospital policy.

Choice C reason: Battery involves intentional and wrongful physical contact with a person without their consent, causing harm. In this situation, the nurse's failure to prevent the fall is not an intentional act, so battery is not applicable.

Choice D reason: Negligence occurs when someone fails to take reasonable care to avoid causing injury or loss to another person. In this case, the nurse's failure to initiate fall risk prevention measures, as required by hospital policy, resulted in the client falling and sustaining a wrist fracture, making the nurse at risk for negligence.

Choice A reason: Providing a centralized area for stocking the needed supplies is important for logistical reasons, ensuring that all necessary materials are readily available. However, this is not the primary scientific rationale for designating a specific decontamination area. The primary focus is on preventing contamination and ensuring safety.

Choice B reason: Preventing secondary contamination to health-care providers is the most crucial reason for designating a specific area for decontamination. This measure is vital to avoid spreading hazardous substances to others and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the decontamination process. By containing the contamination in a controlled area, health-care providers can minimize the risk of exposure and cross-contamination.

Choice C reason: Designating an area where bioterrorism clients can receive care is important, but it is not the primary rationale for having a specific decontamination area. While care and treatment are critical, the main goal of the decontamination area is to remove contaminants and protect health-care providers and other patients from exposure.

Choice D reason: Providing showers and privacy to the client in the decontamination area is beneficial for the comfort and dignity of the client. However, this is not the main scientific rationale for having a designated decontamination area. The primary reason is to control and contain contamination and prevent it from spreading.