Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Settings and Models for Nursing Care Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Settings and Models for Nursing Care related questions and content

The charge nurse is making assignments for a group of clients on a medical unit. When reviewing the acuity of the clients, the charge nurse assigns the RN to the clients with higher acuity levels. Why would the charge nurse assign the RN to the clients with a higher acuity?

  • A. LPNs do not understand how to care for clients with complex disorders.
  • B. Assigning an LPN would allow them to provide care out of their scope of practice.
  • C. Higher acuity clients may request the services of an RN versus other care providers.
  • D. A higher acuity client requires a greater need for highly skilled care.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Generally, higher acuity requires a greater need for highly skilled care. Clients with complicated or high-risk surgery, massive trauma, or critical illness will be cared for in an acute care hospital, where a high level of professional, skilled, and technological care is available. RNs are instrumental in caring for these clients. LPNs may understand how to care for clients with complex disorders, but RNs are instrumental in the client care. Clients generally do not request care by a specific provider; nurses with different levels of education perform various care activities.