Final answer:
In a medical-surgical unit, an appropriate task for a nurse to delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is turning and repositioning a client with a total hip replacement, since it does not require clinical judgment, which is beyond the UAP's scope of practice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the delegation of tasks in a medical-surgical unit by a nurse leading a care team. The team members include a practical nurse (PN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). In clinical settings, the responsibility of task delegation falls upon the registered nurse, who must use judgment to delegate tasks appropriately based on the competence and qualifications of team members.
In this scenario, the appropriate task to delegate to the UAP is to turn and reposition a client with a total hip replacement. This is because the other tasks listed involve assessment, monitoring medication effects, and evaluating progress, which requires clinical judgment and is within the scope of practice of a licensed nurse.
UAPs such as nursing assistants, orderlies, or patient care technicians are typically tasked with direct patient care activities that do not require nursing judgment. Turning and repositioning patients are examples of such tasks, as they are essential for comfort and to avoid complications like pressure ulcers in immobile clients, but do not require the UAP to make assessments or clinical decisions. It is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure that UAPs are properly trained and competent in these tasks and to provide supervision as necessary.
It is important to note that the scope of practice for both PNs and UAPs will vary depending on the region and specific healthcare facility policies. However, basic principles of delegation apply in that the registered nurse must ensure the delegated task is within the other healthcare team member's role and abilities, and that the task does not require the nurse's professional judgment or critical decision-making.