Nursing Prioritization Delegation Assignment Q 36

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You are responsible for the care of a postoperative patient with a thoracotomy. The patient has been given a nursing diagnosis of Activity Intolerance. Which action should you delegate to the nursing assistant?

  

     A. Instructing the patient to alternate rest and activity periods

     B. Encouraging, monitoring, and recording nutritional intake

     C. Monitoring cardiorespiratory response to activity

     D. Planning activities for periods when the patient has the most energy

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Encouraging, monitoring, and recording nutritional intake

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The nursing assistant’s training includes how to monitor and record intake and output. After the nurse has taught the patient about the importance of adequate nutritional intake for energy, the nursing assistant can remind and encourage the patient to take-in adequate nutrition.

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Option A: Instructing patients requires more education and skill, and are appropriate to the RN’s scope of practice. Discussing and teaching require additional education and training. These actions are within the scope of practice of the RN.

Option C: Monitoring the patient’s cardiovascular response to activity is a complex process requiring additional education, training, and skill, and falls within the RN’s scope of practice.

Option D: The scope of practice for the registered nurse will most likely include the legal ability of the registered professional nurse to perform all phases of the nursing process including assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation.

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