Author Question: A nurse is assigned to care for the following patients who all need vital signs taken right now. ... (Read 29 times)

plus1 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A nurse is assigned to care for the following patients who all need vital signs taken right now. Which patient is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate vital sign measurement to the nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?

a. Patient scheduled for a procedure in the nuclear medicine department
b. Patient transferring from the intensive care unit (ICU)
c. Patient returning from a cardiac catheterization
d. Patient returning from hip replacement surgery

Question 2

Which staff member does the nurse assign to provide morning care for an older-adult patient who requires assistance with activities of daily living?

a. Licensed practical nurse
b. Cardiac monitor technician
c. Nursing assistive personnel (NAP)
d. Another registered nurse on the floor

Ksanderson1296 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The nurse does not assign vital sign measurement or other tasks to NAP when patients are experiencing a change in level of care. The patient awaiting the procedure in nuclear medicine is the only patient who has not experienced a change in level of care. According to the rights of delegation, tasks that are repetitive, require little supervision, are relatively noninvasive, have results that are predictable, and have minimal risk can be delegated to assistive personnel. The patient in this question with the most predictable condition is the patient awaiting the nuclear medicine procedure. Once the nurse determines that the other patients are stable, the nurse could delegate their future vital sign measurement to the NAP. However, it is important for the nurse to assess patients coming from the ICU, the cardiac cath lab, and surgery when they first arrive on the unit.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The NAP is capable of caring for this patient and is the most cost-effective choice. The cardiac monitor technician's role is to watch the cardiac monitors for patients on the floor. The nurse and the licensed practical nurse are not the most cost-effective options in this case, even though each could assist with activities of daily living. These nurses would be better used to administer medications, perform assessments, etc.