Question

At the start of the shift there was one RN and one LPN to care for three newborns in the nursery. Within two hours, three more newborns were admitted, one requiring level II care, and the parents of two newborns needed discharge teaching so they could go home. The RN was needed full-time in the level II nursery as the newborn was stabilized. What staffing activity is needed to provide appropriate care in this situation?

A. The LPN can complete the admission assessments and discharge teaching for the five Level 1 newborns.

B. An UAP from the postpartum unit can be reassigned to the nursery to do the discharge teaching.

C. The RN can complete the admission assessments while continuing to stabilize the Level II newborn.

D. Another RN needs to be assigned to the nursery to perform admission assessments and discharge teaching.

Answer 1

The optimal action is to assign another RN to handle admission assessments and discharge teaching, as an LPN's scope and UAP's training do not cover these tasks, especially when complex care and patient education are required.

Step-by-step explanation:

Staffing Needs for Nursing Care

In the given scenario, the most appropriate staffing activity to maintain optimal patient care would be to assign another registered nurse (RN) to the nursery. This additional RN would be responsible for performing admission assessments and discharge teaching. The initial RN is occupied in the level II nursery with a newborn requiring more intensive care. An LPN's scope of practice does not typically include performing initial assessments for newly admitted patients, which would require the clinical judgment and advanced assessment skills of an RN. Furthermore, unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are not trained in conducting discharge teaching which involves patient education and ensuring that the parents understand the care needed at home.

The staffing scenario requires prompt and effective action to maintain both the quality of patient care and the safety of the newborns and their families. According to labor market studies, the availability and demand for nurses can significantly influence decision-making in clinical settings. A solution that aligns with the shift needs as well as the labor market dynamics will ensure continuing, uninterrupted high-quality care.