Question

The nurse is assigned to the care of an obese client who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which activity could the nurse appropriately delegate to the unlicensed assistant person (UAP)?

a. Teach the client about the need for weight loss.
b. Explore any concerns about the prescribed regimen for managing GERD.
c. Explain why it is important to eat several small meals per day.
d. Instruct the client to remain upright for at least 2 hours after eating.

Answer 1

The nurse can delegate the task of instructing the client to remain upright for at least 2 hours after eating to the unlicensed assistant person (UAP), as it does not require specialized nursing knowledge.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario presented, the nurse is working with an obese client who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The activity that the nurse could appropriately delegate to the unlicensed assistant person (UAP) is d. Instruct the client to remain upright for at least 2 hours after eating. This task does not require the specialized training of a licensed nurse and falls within the scope of tasks typically handled by a UAP, such as helping with patient comfort and reinforcing teaching done by the nurse.

Activities such as teaching the client about the importance of weight loss, addressing questions about the prescribed regimen for managing GERD, or explaining dietary modifications are generally the responsibility of licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses or registered dietitians. These professionals are trained to provide education tailored to an individual's medical conditions and nutritional needs.