Question

A nurse is delegating tasks for a group of clients to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following statements by the nurse provides the right direction of communication with the AP?

Option 1:"Make sure to update me on the vital signs of the clients after you finish the rounds."
Option 2:"If any of the clients complain about pain, just give them the prescribed pain medication without consulting me."
Option 3:"Notify me immediately if you observe any changes in the clients' skin color or signs of respiratory distress."
Option 4:"You can decide when it's appropriate to administer the prescribed medications to the clients based on your judgment."

Answer 1

The statement asking the AP to update the nurse on the clients' vital signs after their rounds gives clear direction and fits within the AP's scope of work, making it the correct form of communication for a nurse when delegating tasks to the AP.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement by the nurse that provides the right direction of communication with the assistive personnel (AP) is: "Make sure to update me on the vital signs of the clients after you finish the rounds." This instruction gives clear and actionable direction, ensuring that the nurse receives important information regarding the clients' conditions. It embodies effective delegation and communication within the healthcare setting. Conversely, options 2 and 4 permit the AP to administer medications without supervision, which is not within the scope of practice for APs and lacks necessary safeguards. Option 3 is also correct as it emphasizes the importance of immediate communication in case of significant changes in a client's condition. However, it is option 1 that offers a standard, necessary task that should be performed by an AP.