✅ Bathing assistance for Patient C
📌 Bathing assistance is a routine activity of daily living that does not require nursing judgment.
📌 Patient C is stable and has a chronic condition with predictable needs.
📌 The UAP can assist with hygiene while observing for obvious changes.
📌 Any abnormal findings should be reported to the nurse.
📌 The UAP does not assess or interpret the patient’s condition.
📌 This task is appropriate because it is routine, non-invasive, and low risk.
✅ Dressing change for Patient A
📌 An LPN/LVN may perform a routine dressing change for a stable postoperative patient.
📌 Patient A has stable vital signs and predictable care needs.
📌 The LPN/LVN can observe the wound and report drainage, redness, or separation.
📌 The RN remains responsible for comprehensive assessment and evaluation.
📌 Complex wounds or unstable patients would require RN involvement.
📌 This assignment is appropriate within the LPN/LVN’s usual scope.
✅ Vital signs for Patient C
📌 A UAP can obtain routine vital signs for a stable patient.
📌 Patient C has a chronic, stable condition and predictable outcomes.
📌 The UAP should accurately record the findings.
📌 Abnormal results must be reported promptly to the nurse.
📌 The UAP cannot interpret the findings or modify the care plan.
📌 The RN or LPN/LVN evaluates the clinical significance of the results.
✅ Initial assessment of Patient B
📌 The initial nursing assessment requires professional nursing judgment.
📌 It establishes the patient’s baseline condition after admission.
📌 The assessment guides nursing diagnoses, priorities, and the plan of care.
📌 It cannot be delegated to a UAP.
📌 The LPN/LVN may collect focused data but does not perform the comprehensive initial assessment.
📌 Therefore, the RN must complete this task.
✅ Oral pain medication for Patient A
📌 An LPN/LVN may administer routine oral medications to a stable patient.
📌 Patient A is postoperative but has stable vital signs and predictable needs.
📌 The LPN/LVN should verify the prescription and medication rights.
📌 The patient should be monitored for adverse effects and pain relief.
📌 Significant changes must be reported to the RN.
📌 The exact scope may vary according to facility policy and local regulations.
✅ Diabetes teaching for Patient D
📌 Initial teaching for a new diabetes diagnosis requires assessment and nursing judgment.
📌 The RN evaluates the patient’s learning needs, readiness, and understanding.
📌 Teaching may include glucose monitoring, medications, diet, and complication prevention.
📌 The RN must determine whether the patient can safely perform required self-care.
📌 An LPN/LVN may reinforce teaching that the RN has already provided.
📌 A UAP cannot provide formal patient education.