HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

When caring for an elderly client on bed rest with a skin tear, what is the best care assignment for this client?

1. Assign an RN to provide total care of the client

2. Assign a nursing assistant to help the client with self-care activities

3. Delegate complete care to an unlicensed assistive personnel

4. Supervise a nursing assistant for skin care

The correct answer is: Supervise a nursing assistant for skin care

The best care assignment for an elderly client on bed rest with a skin tear is to supervise a nursing assistant for skin care. This option ensures that the client receives appropriate attention to their specific condition while allowing for cost-effective use of nursing resources. Elderly clients, especially those with skin tears, require gentle and careful handling to prevent further injury and promote healing. By supervising a nursing assistant, the registered nurse can provide guidance and ensure that best practices for skin care are implemented, such as proper cleansing techniques, moisturization, and the use of appropriate dressing materials. This approach strikes a balance between providing oversight and engaging support staff in delivering daily care. In this scenario, having a nursing assistant involved helps to maintain the client's independence and dignity by encouraging self-care activities, but the nurse’s supervisory role adds an essential layer of safety and expertise, particularly in managing the skin tear effectively.