Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Concepts and Trends in Health Care Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Concepts and Trends in Health Care related questions and content

A nurse has applied for a position in the hospital emergency department and is told that the facility only hires RNs and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) in the emergency department. What concern does the nurse have with the practice of hiring UAPs in place of LPNs?

  • A. LPNs will be phased out of the healthcare field altogether when more UAPs are hired.
  • B. UAPs are performing some of the duties that practical nurses typically provide and may jeopardize the quality of care.
  • C. UAPs will replace nurses because they deliver a better quality of care.
  • D. State boards of nursing will begin to credential UAPs.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Changes in the healthcare industry have also affected employment for healthcare workers. Hospitals employ UAPs to perform some duties that practical and registered nurses once provided. Many are concerned that the use of UAPs will jeopardize the quality of care. There is no evidence to indicate that LPNs will be phased out of the healthcare system or that UAPs will replace nurses. State boards of nursing cannot credential an unlicensed person that does not go through a formal education program.