HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

Which task can safely be delegated to a UAP?

1. Supervise a client self-administering insulin.

2. Cleanse and dress a small decubitus ulcer.

3. Monitor a client’s response to passive range of motion exercises.

4. Apply and care for a client's rectal pouch.

The correct answer is: Apply and care for a client's rectal pouch.

Delegating tasks to a Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) must align with their training and the complexity of the task. Applying and caring for a client's rectal pouch is within the scope of practice for a UAP because it involves routine care that does not require the clinical judgment or assessment skills of a licensed nurse. This task typically involves following established protocols that UAPs are trained to perform, focusing on hygiene and the maintenance of the pouch. In contrast, supervising a client self-administering insulin involves evaluating the client's knowledge and ensuring proper technique, which requires nursing expertise. Cleansing and dressing a small decubitus ulcer involves assessing the wound for signs of infection or changes, demanding clinical judgment. Monitoring a client’s response to passive range of motion exercises requires the assessment of the client's range of motion and potential pain or discomfort, which is outside the UAP's scope. Each of these tasks either requires clinical judgment or assessment skills, making them unsuitable for delegation to a UAP.