A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals employ unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: aid the RN by performing appropriately delegated care tasks. UAP and LPN/LVNs are crucial in supporting the RN by carrying out tasks within their scope of practice under the RN's supervision. This is essential to ensure efficient patient care delivery and allow the RN to focus on more complex nursing assessments and interventions. A: Supplementing the staffing pattern when an RN is not available is incorrect because UAP and LPN/LVNs work alongside RNs, not as substitutes for them. C: Replacing the RN in long-term care settings is incorrect as UAP and LPN/LVNs provide valuable assistance but do not replace the RN's role. D: Providing patient teaching to allow more direct care by the RN is incorrect as UAP and LPN/LVNs focus on task-based care rather than patient education, which is typically within the RN's scope of practice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: direction and communication. The RN failed to provide clear direction to the LPN regarding the specific type of enema to be administered and the amount. Furthermore, there was a lack of communication regarding the patient's current condition and the rationale for the enema. The other choices are incorrect because: B: task - The task of administering the enema was clearly communicated. C: person - The patient was identified by room number, so the person was specified. D: circumstances - While the circumstances of the patient's complaint were mentioned, the specific details related to the enema administration were lacking.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Delegating the assessment of vital signs during the first 5 minutes of a blood transfusion to UAPs is not appropriate. This is because a reaction can occur within the first few minutes of a blood transfusion, making it crucial for a registered nurse to assess the patient during this critical period. UAPs do not have the education or training to recognize and manage potential adverse reactions promptly. Choice B is incorrect because an LPN/LVN can indeed administer a PPD if there is no history of a positive result. Choice C is incorrect because LPN/LVNs should not administer medications that have a high potential for adverse effects, such as dopamine. Choice D is incorrect as transferring a patient who is being discharged home requires skilled nursing assessment and intervention, not just training in transferring techniques.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: functional nursing. In functional nursing, tasks are divided among different levels of nursing staff based on their skills and qualifications. This system is task-oriented, with each staff member responsible for a specific function, such as medication administration or personal hygiene, for the entire unit. This allows for efficient and specialized care delivery. A: Total patient care involves one nurse providing all aspects of care to a group of patients. C: Team nursing involves a team of healthcare professionals working collaboratively to provide care to a group of patients. D: Primary nursing assigns one nurse to oversee the care of a group of patients from admission to discharge.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because quantifying the amount and intensity of care required is essential to determine staffing needs based on patient acuity. This involves assessing the complexity and severity of patients' conditions, which directly impacts the level of care needed. Patient satisfaction (A) does not provide objective data on acuity. Examining skill mix (C) is important but not the primary factor in determining acuity. Hospital days (D) reflect length of stay, not acuity level.