Final answer:
A nurse can delegate the collection of a random stool specimen to assistive personnel (AP), as it does not require sterile technique or clinical interpretation. However, the collection of wound drainage for culture, urine from an indwelling catheter, and blood for PaCO2 are tasks that require a higher level of skill and training.
Step-by-step explanation:
In medical-surgical settings, nurses are expected to understand their scope of practice and the tasks that can be delegated to assistive personnel (AP). When considering the types of specimen collections that a nurse can delegate to the AP, it is essential to evaluate the complexity and the potential for needing to assess patient conditions.
The collection of a random stool specimen is a task that is within the capabilities of most assistive personnel. It does not require sterile technique or the interpretation of clinical data, which are beyond the scope of AP's training. Therefore, this is the appropriate choice for delegation among the given options.
On the other hand, collecting wound drainage for culture, urine from an indwelling catheter, or blood for testing PaCO2, involves more complex procedures that require a higher level of training. For example, a wound culture may require an understanding of aseptic technique to avoid contamination, and blood collection for PaCO2 (a measure of carbon dioxide in the blood) would typically be performed by a nurse or a phlebotomist trained in blood gas analysis.