Question

The nursing staff consists of two registered nurses, two licensed vocational nurses, and a certified nursing assistant. The skills of the nursing assistant are best suited to: A. Feeding a client with Alzheimer's dementia B. Bathing a client with a central line C. Obtaining vital signs on a client with pneumonia D. Collecting the output from a client with preeclampsia

Short answer

Answer: Feeding a client with Alzheimer's dementia is the most suitable task for a certified nursing assistant.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the roles of the nursing staff members

A registered nurse (RN) is a highly skilled, educated nurse who can perform complex tasks, provide direct patient care, and oversee the care provided by other nursing staff members. A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is also a nurse with education and training, who can provide direct patient care, but under the supervision of a registered nurse. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic nursing care to patients, typically under the supervision of an RN or LVN.

Evaluate Option A

Option A is Feeding a client with Alzheimer's dementia. Feeding a patient with Alzheimer's dementia requires patience and understanding of the disease. CNAs are trained to provide basic nursing care and assist patients with activities of daily living, which includes feeding. Therefore, this task is suitable for a certified nursing assistant.

Evaluate Option B

Option B is bathing a client with a central line. A central line is a catheter placed in a large vein, and it requires specialized care to prevent infection. This task is more complex and may need the skills of an RN or LVN, as they have more advanced training and experience in handling complex nursing procedures.

Evaluate Option C

Option C is obtaining vital signs on a client with pneumonia. Vital signs are an essential part of monitoring the patient's health. CNAs are trained in obtaining vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. Obtaining vital signs for a client with pneumonia is within the scope of a certified nursing assistant's responsibilities.

Evaluate Option D

Option D is collecting the output from a client with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and possibly damage to other organ systems. This condition requires close monitoring, and the collection of output might need specialized knowledge. An RN or LVN might be better suited for this task due to their higher level of education and expertise.

Select the most suitable option

Based on the analysis of each option, the most appropriate task for a certified nursing assistant is: A. Feeding a client with Alzheimer's dementia.