Question

In a busy hospital unit, the nursing manager is planning patient assignments for the day shift. There is a mix of experienced professional nurses and newer nursing staff on the team. Several patients require complex care interventions and specialized procedures. The nursing manager is considering how to delegate tasks effectively to ensure optimal patient outcomes and staff development. Which principle should the nursing manager consider when assigning procedures to the professional nurses on the team?

A) Assigning tasks randomly to promote equal workload distribution.
B) Delegating complex care interventions to newer nursing staff for skill development.
C) Assigning sterile or invasive procedures to professional nurses with the appropriate expertise.
D) Rotating task assignments among all staff members to prevent monotony.

Answer 1

The nursing manager should consider assigning sterile or invasive procedures to professional nurses with the appropriate expertise.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assigning procedures to professional nurses in a hospital unit, the nursing manager should consider the principle of assigning sterile or invasive procedures to professional nurses with the appropriate expertise (Option C). This ensures that patients receive the specialized care they require, leading to optimal outcomes. Professional nurses have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform these complex tasks safely and effectively. By assigning these procedures to experienced nurses, the nursing manager also promotes staff development by allowing newer nursing staff to observe and learn from their more experienced colleagues.