HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

Which task delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) indicates a need for further teaching about delegation?

1. Assist a client post cerebral vascular accident to ambulate

2. Feed a 2 year-old in balanced skeletal traction

3. Care for a client with discharge orders

4. Collect a sputum specimen for acid fast bacillus

The correct answer is: Care for a client with discharge orders

Delegating the task of caring for a client with discharge orders to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) requires careful consideration, as this task typically involves making clinical judgments and assessments related to the patient's readiness for discharge, understanding of post-discharge instructions, and addressing any concerns the client may have. These responsibilities usually fall within the realm of a registered nurse's scope of practice, which includes planning discharge instructions and ensuring the patient understands any follow-up care needed. While UAPs can assist with certain tasks that do not require critical thinking or nursing judgment, such as basic hygiene or ambulation, discharge planning and assessments are more complex and necessitate a licensed nurse’s knowledge. Therefore, delegating the care of a client with discharge orders to a UAP indicates a need for further teaching about what types of tasks are appropriate to delegate. Understanding the scope of practice and the level of skill required for each task is essential for safe and effective care.