Question

an rn on a behavioral health unit is assessing a client. the rn plans to delegate part of the nursing process to a licensed practical nurse (lpn). which of the following statements by the rn indicates appropriate delegation to the lpn?

\please document the admission assessment in the chart.\
\please use these client assessment findings to draw a conclusion so that a plan can be developed.\
\please verify with the client which of the following medications they are taking.\
\please perform a complete assessment of the client.\

Explanation:

Analyze the scope of practice for RNs and LPNs

The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for the overall nursing process, which includes comprehensive assessment, planning, analyzing, and evaluating client care. These core responsibilities cannot be delegated to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). LPNs can perform focused assessments, gather data, and perform specific tasks (such as verifying medications or administering certain treatments) under the supervision of an RN, but they cannot perform the initial comprehensive admission assessment, analyze assessment findings to draw clinical conclusions, or develop the plan of care.

Evaluate the first option

The statement "Please document the admission assessment in the chart" implies performing or completing the initial comprehensive admission assessment, which is a core responsibility of the RN and cannot be delegated to an LPN.

Evaluate the second option

The statement "Please use these client assessment findings to draw a conclusion so that a plan can be developed" involves clinical analysis, synthesis of data, and care planning. These cognitive processes require the advanced clinical judgment of an RN and cannot be delegated to an LPN.

Evaluate the third option

The statement "Please verify with the client which of the following medications they are taking" involves data collection and verification of a medication list. This is a concrete, structured task that falls within the LPN's scope of practice. The LPN can gather this objective information and report it back to the RN, who will then use it for clinical decision-making.

Evaluate the fourth option

The statement "Please perform a complete assessment of the client" asks the LPN to perform a comprehensive assessment. Comprehensive assessments must be performed by the RN, making this delegation inappropriate.

Answer:

• "Please document the admission assessment in the chart."
• "Please use these client assessment findings to draw a conclusion so that a plan can be developed."</mcq-correct>
• "Please verify with the client which of the following medications they are taking." (Correct answer)

<mcq-option>"Please perform a complete assessment of the client."