Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Related

Review Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing related questions and content

An RN makes the following assignments at the beginning of the shift. Which assignment would be considered high-risk delegation?

  • A. A novice RN is assigned a patient with diabetes mellitus requiring mixing of regular and NPH insulin.
  • B. An LPN is assigned an older adult with pneumonia and who requires dressing changes on a foot wound.
  • C. An unlicensed assistive person is assigned the task of assisting a patient with late stages of Huntington's disease to ambulate a short distance in the hallway.
  • D. A float RN from the oncology unit is assigned a patient with a white blood cell count of 4000 mm
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it involves a high-risk delegation. Mixing insulin is a complex task that requires precise measurements and understanding of the patient's condition. A novice RN may lack the experience and knowledge to safely perform this task, leading to potential harm for the patient.

Choice B involves wound care, which is within an LPN's scope of practice and not as high-risk as insulin administration. Choice C involves basic ambulation assistance, which is appropriate for an unlicensed assistive person under supervision. Choice D involves caring for a patient with low white blood cell count, which may be challenging but not as high-risk as insulin mixing for a novice RN.