Question

A registered nurse (RN) must determine how best to assign coworkers (another RN and one licensed practical nurse LPN) to provide care to a group of clients. Which of the following is the appropriate assignment?

a) the RN is assigned to care for an unemployed 26-year old woman, newly diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), who has four school-age children
b) the LPN is assigned to care for a 41-year old male, postresection of an acoustic neuroma 2 days ago, transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU) this morning
c) the LPN is assigned to provide discharge teaching about medications and maintenance of nephrostomy tube to a 35-year old man
d) the RN is assigned to care for a 65-year old woman hospitalized because of chest pain, being discharged today to home with no medication

Answer 1

Option A is correct because the complex care of a patient with AIDS and social complexities requires the extensive expertise of an RN. Option C is not suitable for an LPN due to the complexity of discharge teaching for medications and nephrostomy tube care.

Step-by-step explanation:

When determining the most appropriate assignments for a registered nurse (RN) and a licensed practical nurse (LPN), it is essential to consider the scope of practice and the complexity of patient care needed. Direct supervision of a registered nurse is crucial for complex cases and tasks that are beyond an LPN's scope of practice. Given the choices, option A is the most suitable assignment for an RN, who will be capable of comprehensively managing the care of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and additional social complexities such as unemployment and dependent children. Option C is an incorrect assignment for an LPN, as discharge teaching for medication and monitoring of a nephrostomy tube is a complex procedure requiring the expertise of an RN. The LPN could be more appropriately assigned to less complex tasks, whereas the RN should focus on patients who have greater needs and treatments requiring advanced knowledge and critical thinking.