A nurse is planning client assignments for the day. Which task should the nurse assign to the nursing assistant (unlicensed assistive personnel)?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse is legally responsible for client assignments and must assign tasks based on state nursing practice act guidelines and job descriptions provided by the employing agency. The nursing assistant is trained to measure, collect, and strain urine, making recording urinary output for a client with renal calculi a suitable task for the nursing assistant. This task falls within the nursing assistant's role description. Dressing change instructions for a client who had a mastectomy involve a higher level of skill and knowledge, beyond the scope of a nursing assistant. Reporting abnormal lab values to the health care provider for a client scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires interpretation and clinical judgment, which is typically not within the nursing assistant's role. Preprocedural teaching for a client scheduled for a cardiac stress test involves providing detailed information and education, which is usually the responsibility of a licensed nurse or other qualified healthcare provider.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Collecting sputum samples on stable clients is within the scope of practice for an LPN. This task does not require immediate intervention or assessment by an RN or medical provider. An RN should perform the initial assessment on any client immediately post-op as it requires a higher level of assessment and monitoring. A client suffering from an acute asthma attack should be attended to by an RN or medical provider due to the potential severity and need for prompt intervention. Assigning a medically stable client who needs help ambulating to a nursing assistant is appropriate as it falls within their scope of practice and allows the LPN to focus on tasks that require their expertise.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The LPN should be able to recognize when an assignment is beyond their scope of practice. Administering chemotherapy for leukemia is not within the scope of practice for the LPN, and this assignment should be questioned. Choices A, B, and C are within the scope of practice for an LPN. Reinforcing teaching on self-administration of insulin, assisting with discharge instructions on dressing changes, and caring for a client being discharged with no medications are all appropriate tasks for an LPN.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When fetal heart monitoring indicates fetal distress, interventions are aimed at improving oxygenation to the fetus. Increasing maternal fluids helps improve placental perfusion and oxygen delivery to the fetus. Administering oxygen also aids in increasing oxygen supply to the fetus. Turning the mother can help relieve pressure on the vena cava, optimizing blood flow to the placenta. Therefore, decreasing maternal fluids would not be performed as it can further compromise placental perfusion and fetal oxygenation, making it the exception. Decreasing maternal fluids could potentially exacerbate fetal distress by reducing oxygen delivery and nutrient supply to the fetus, which is contrary to the goal of managing fetal distress.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is a client with a solid-sealed cervical radiation implant. Brachytherapy involves the implantation of a sealed radiation source within the targeted tumor tissue. A client with such an implant emits radiation as long as it is in place. Pregnant nurses should not care for clients with solid-sealed radiation implants due to the potential radiation exposure risk to the fetus. Clients under enteric precautions due to diarrhea, receiving a continuous infusion of intravenous morphine sulfate for cancer pain, or requiring contact precautions and frequent wound irrigations do not pose a risk to pregnant nurses and are appropriate assignments for them. Therefore, the nurse should question the assignment involving the client with the solid-sealed cervical radiation implant as it poses a risk to the fetus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Accountability in nursing involves taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions. In this scenario, checking the unit policy for the protocol related to the care of sexually assaulted clients demonstrates accountability. Policies and protocols provide guidance on appropriate actions and responsibilities in specific situations. Asking a medical assistant, calling the day shift nurse in charge, or consulting police officers are not appropriate actions to demonstrate accountability in this context. Seeking further clarification from the agency nursing supervisor on the night shift after reviewing the policy or protocol would be a more suitable course of action.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Nurses must discuss clients in a professional manner and avoid using judgmental language such as 'uncooperative' or 'difficult.' When such comments and language are discouraged, fewer comments will be made. Ignoring the comments is an inappropriate option because the concern will not be addressed. Leaving articles about judgmental opinions in the nurses' report room indirectly addresses the issue, but there is no guarantee that the staff will read them. Reporting the nurses' comments to administration does not directly address the issue. The best approach for the nurse is to discourage judgmental comments directly with the staff members. Since this action is not provided in the options, discouraging judgmental comments is the most appropriate way to manage this concern.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: To ensure optimal continuity of care for a client transitioning to a long-term care facility for rehab after a CVA, the nurse plays a crucial role in communication. Documenting the current functional status is essential for the receiving facility to plan appropriate care. Copying relevant parts of the medical record for transport provides important background information. Phoning a report directly to the facility is a direct and effective way to communicate the client's condition and care plan. However, having the physician fax a report to the receiving facility introduces an extra step that may delay essential information transfer and increase the risk of miscommunication. Therefore, it is not the optimal choice for ensuring seamless continuity of care.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The priority should be given to the client who is scheduled for surgery at 1 p.m. Preparing a client for surgery involves various tasks such as physical and emotional preparation, following healthcare provider instructions, and potential last-minute changes in the surgical schedule. It is crucial to ensure the client is adequately prepared. Providing care to a client who just received pain medication can wait until the medication takes effect. Clients who are independent in performing daily activities and those scheduled for physical therapy later in the morning are not as high a priority as preparing a client for an upcoming surgery. Therefore, the client scheduled for surgery should be cared for first to ensure all necessary preparations are completed.