The nurse is caring for a patient who states, "I tossed and turned last night." The nurse responds to the patient, "You feel like you were awake all night?" This is an example of:

A. Scheduling admissions, discharges, and nurse staffing to keep the unit at the best occupancy and utilization. Scheduling and unit staffing are typically tasks for administrative staff rather than the direct responsibilities of an LPN.

B. Educating patients on how to use hospital computers to access information such as discharge instructions or information relative to specific medications. LPNs may be involved in patient education, including showing patients how to access relevant health information, making this a potential area of proficiency.

C. Input of data such as requests for radiographs or laboratory services. LPNs may be responsible for entering basic patient care data and service requests, making this a relevant skill in many clinical settings.

D. Programming the computer to record data from primary care providers and other healthcare workers. Programming tasks are typically not within the scope of LPN duties, as these require advanced computer skills beyond general data input.

A. Follows agency policy for correcting the error.
Following agency policy is the best approach, as it ensures compliance with legal and procedural standards for correcting documentation errors.

B. Whites out the wrong entry and writes the note in the chart of the correct patient. Whiting out errors is not permissible, as it can appear as an attempt to alter records and compromises the integrity of documentation.

C. Removes the page on which the error is located and documents the other correct notes. Removing pages from a medical record is improper and could be considered tampering with documentation.

D. Blacks out the note to protect the confidentiality of the patient about whom it was written and writes in the margin "wrong patient," his signature, and the date and time.
Blacking out notes is not allowed, as it destroys information that should remain legible, even if it was written in error.