Question

The nurse has received a client from the emergency room with a fractured right hip. Which task should the nurse assign to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? A. Obtain personal care items and place at bedside B. Assess the skin for any signs of breakdown C. Administer meperidine (Demerol) \(75 \mathrm{mg}\) IM D. Apply Buck's traction \(5 \\#\) to right leg

Short answer

A. Obtain personal care items and place at bedside B. Assess the skin for any signs of breakdown C. Administer meperidine (Demerol) 75 mg IM (intramuscular injection) D. Apply Buck's traction 5 lbs to right leg Answer: A. Obtain personal care items and place at bedside

Step-by-step solution

Understand the role of an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)

Recall that unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are individuals who are not licensed as nurses, but still provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. Their scope of practice usually includes tasks such as bathing, feeding, and turning patients, as well as measuring and documenting vital signs.

Analyze the given tasks

Let's look at each task and determine if it would be appropriate for a UAP to perform: A. Obtain personal care items and place at bedside B. Assess the skin for any signs of breakdown C. Administer meperidine (Demerol) \(75 \mathrm{mg}\) IM (intramuscular injection) D. Apply Buck's traction \(5 \\#\) to right leg

Evaluate each task within the scope of practice of a UAP

A. Obtaining personal care items and placing them at bedside falls within the role of a UAP, as it involves providing a comfortable environment for the patient. B. Assessing the skin for signs of breakdown would likely be outside the scope of practice for a UAP, as this task requires clinical judgment and the ability to identify skin issues. C. Administering medication, especially through an intramuscular injection, is not within the scope of practice for a UAP. This task must be performed by a licensed nurse or another healthcare professional who is authorized to administer medications. D. Applying Buck's traction to the patient's leg would likely be outside the scope of practice for a UAP, as it involves the use of medical equipment and the monitoring of the patient's condition. This task should be performed by a licensed nurse or another healthcare professional who has been trained to apply and monitor the traction.

Choose the most appropriate task for the UAP

Based on the evaluation in Step 3, we can determine that the most appropriate task for the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) would be: A. Obtain personal care items and place at bedside. This task is within the scope of practice for a UAP and does not require advanced nursing knowledge, skills, or abilities. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Key concepts

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) play a vital role in healthcare settings. They provide essential support to nurses and other licensed healthcare professionals. These individuals help with basic patient care. Their responsibilities can include:

• Helping patients with personal hygiene
• Assisting with feeding and mobility
• Recording vital signs like temperature and blood pressure
• Maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for patients

While UAPs are crucial in managing day-to-day patient needs, they are not licensed nurses. This means they lack the formal training required to carry out certain clinical tasks. It's important to note that UAPs always work under the supervision of registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.

Nursing Scope of Practice

The Nursing Scope of Practice outlines the activities nurses are legally permitted to perform within their professional role. It ensures patient safety and defines the limits of professional practice. The scope varies, influenced by factors such as education, licensing, and the specific healthcare setting.

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have a broader scope compared to UAPs. They can assess patient conditions, develop care plans, and administer medications. Their training enables them to make clinical judgments and engage in tasks that require higher expertise.
Nurses must adhere to state laws and institutional policies that define their scope of practice. This ensures that they operate within their legal boundaries, maintaining high standards of care.

Delegation in Nursing

Delegation in nursing involves the process whereby a nurse influences someone else to perform a task or activity. It is a critical skill in nursing management. Delegation helps distribute tasks efficiently, making sure patients receive the care they need promptly.

However, when delegating tasks, it's essential for nurses to ensure:

• The right task is delegated appropriately
• The delegatee is competent and permitted to perform the task
• There is clear communication regarding the task expectations
• Supervision and feedback are provided as needed

The goal of delegation is to maintain high-quality care while optimizing team effectiveness. Improper delegation might lead to substandard care and legal complications.

Patient Care Tasks

Patient care tasks range from basic assistance to complex clinical interventions. These tasks ensure patients' well-being and support their medical treatment plans.

Basic tasks often include hygiene care and assistance with daily activities. Advanced tasks require clinical skills and critical thinking. Examples include administering medications and performing medical assessments.

Determining the appropriateness of task delegation is vital. It ensures that only qualified individuals undertake tasks that match their expertise level. This approach helps maintain patient safety standards and optimizes care delivery.