You ask Evelyn, a new UNP, to check what is left in Mrs. N.'s ...

[Frost2351]

You ask Evelyn, a new UNP, to check what is left in Mrs. N.'s inhaler when Evelyn makes visits to Mrs. N. and also to check whether Mrs. N. is receiving any positive effect from the medication.
 
  Evelyn reports for 3 weeks that Mrs. N. is using the inhaler and that there is enough medication left in the device. The day of her last visit to Mrs. N., Mrs. N. is admitted to the hospital in severe respiratory distress. When she is admitted, she tells the physician that she has not been using the inhaler for 4 weeks. This incident is an example of:
 
  a. Incompetence of the UNP.
  b. Failure to follow through.
  c. Skills but no motivation.
  d. Lack of accountability.

Question 2

You are working in a home health service and have three unlicensed nursing personnel (UNPs) assigned to your team. You have worked with two of them for 2 years; the third is new.
 
  The two experienced UNPs have patients with complex illnesses for whom they provide basic care. The third member of the team has been assigned to patients with less complex illnesses. Your best approach to supervising their care is to:
 
  a. Remain in the office and ask each UNP to check in with you upon arrival at their first patient care site.
  b. Ask another RN to supervise the two experienced assistants so you can be with the new person full time.
  c. Meet the new staff member at the first patient care site and ask the others to call if anything is unusual.
  d. Meet the new staff member at the first patient care site and call the others with questions to determine whether anything is unusual.

[momo1250]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The nurse should maintain open lines of communication and seek information, and the UNP should know how, when, and what to report. Communication of delegation of tasks includes specific information about what is being delegated, expected outcomes, and deviations (which includes what immediate action needs to be taken). This two-way communication and follow-through allows patient care to be altered, if necessary, in a timely manner.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
When ability and willingness are strong, the involvement of the delegator is less (Hersey and Blanchard).

[Frost2351]

TYSM

[upturnedfurball]

Gracias!