Author Question: After licensing, the LPN/LVN is permitted to perform complex nursing skills as delegated by the ... (Read 77 times)

mspears3 · **on:** Jul 17, 2018

After licensing, the LPN/LVN is permitted to perform complex nursing skills as delegated by the registered nurse (RN) and allowed by the Nurse Practice Act. Delegation is allowed as long as which requirements are met? (Select all that apply.)

a. An RN is willing to teach the skill.
b. An RN observes the return demonstration.
c. An RN delegates complex patients to the LPN/LVN.
d. An RN delegates formulating nursing diagnoses to the LPN/LVN.
e. An RN documents the teaching or learning process for the LPN/LVN's file in the place of employment.

Question 2

Which of the following are major concerns associated with the present nursing shortage? (Select all that apply.)

a. Patient safety
b. High patient acuity
c. High nurse-to-patient ratios
d. High stress among nurses
e. High recruitment incentives

pallen55 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 17, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, B, E
After licensing, the LPN/LVN is permitted to perform complex nursing skills as delegated by the registered nurse (RN) and allowed by the Nurse Practice Act. Delegation is allowed as long as (1) an RN is willing to teach the skill; (2) an RN observes the return demonstration; and (3) an RN documents the teaching or learning process for the LPN/LVN's file in the place of employment. In addition, most Nurse Practice Acts call for direct supervision by RNs for all complex nursing tasks delegated by them.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C, D
Patient safety is a concern, because errors are more common when nurse-to-patient ratios are high. Patients in hospitals are sicker than previously. High patient acuity requires increasingly skilled nurses, and the high-acuity patient requires more nursing time; neither may be available during a nursing shortage. Errors increase when one nurse has a patient load that is so large that care is rushed. Nurses leave the workforce as a result of high stress; this worsens the shortage. High recruitment incentives are not considered major concerns associated with the shortage of nurses.