Question

Which of the following MUST be done by an RN and not a nursing assistant? Select all that apply.

a) Patient teaching

b) Ambulation post-op day 1

c) Ambulation post-op day 4

d) Suctioning

e) Normal skin care

f) Admitting a patient from the post-anesthesia care unit

Answer 1

An RN, not a nursing assistant, must carry out patient teaching, admitting a patient from the post-anesthesia care unit, and potentially suctioning, as these tasks require advanced clinical judgment and skill.Option A,D & F are the correct answers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The following tasks are to be done by an Registered Nurse (RN) and not a nursing assistant:

1. Patient teaching - This is because patient education involves a deep understanding of medical conditions and the ability to assess patient understanding, which is within the scope of practice for an RN.
2. Admitting a patient from the post-anesthesia care unit - This task requires a high level of clinical judgment and the ability to respond to complex medical situations, which are capabilities of an RN.
3. Suctioning - This may vary between institutions, but generally, RNs perform suctioning because it can be invasive and requires clinical assessment skills and judgment.

Ambulation on post-operative days and normal skin care can often be performed by nursing assistants under the direct supervision of an RN, but the initial assessment and any complex circumstances typically require an RN.