Question

Which activities are appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Diabetic diet teaching.
2. Postoperative wound care.
3. Sterile dressing change.
4. Routine vital signs.
5. Hygienic care.

Answer 1

The tasks that can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are routine vital signs and hygienic care. Tasks requiring clinical judgment, such as diabetic diet teaching, postoperative wound care, and sterile dressing changes, should not be delegated to UAP.

Step-by-step explanation:

Activities that are appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are generally non-invasive, routine tasks that do not require clinical judgment. Accordingly, actions that can be safely delegated to UAP include:

• Routine vital signs: Taking and reporting a patient's vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration rates, are tasks that UAP can perform under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.
• Hygienic care: Assisting patients with hygiene-related needs, such as bathing, grooming, and toileting, is within the scope of UAP's responsibilities.

However, tasks such as diabetic diet teaching, postoperative wound care, and sterile dressing change require clinical knowledge, judgment, and the ability to assess patient conditions, which fall under the professional scope of a nurse or higher-level medical professional. It is essential for safety and quality of patient care that UAPs do not engage in activities beyond their competence and that they always operate under proper supervision.