Among the following, the task that does NOT require a registered nurse but can be delegated to the home healt… - ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Fundamental of Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Explanation

Feeding and bathing are considered basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
For a stable client, assisting with ADLs is a routine task with a predictable outcome that falls within the scope of practice for a home health aide (HHA).
These tasks do not require the application of the nursing process (assessment, analysis, planning, evaluation) or critical judgment.

Option A: Assessing wound healing is a complex assessment that is a core function of the RN. It involves evaluating tissue type, drainage, and signs of infection, which requires professional nursing judgment.
Option B: Oxygen is classified as a medication. Adjusting the flow rate is equivalent to changing a medication dose, which requires a physician's order and the clinical assessment skills of an RN. It cannot be delegated.
Option C: Patient teaching, especially about medications, is a non-delegable, professional responsibility of the RN. It requires assessing learning needs, providing complex information, and evaluating understanding.

Visual 1: Flowchart: The Five Rights of Delegation. This visual would outline the five key criteria (Right Task, Circumstance, Person, Direction, Supervision) an RN must consider before delegating a task, helping to reinforce the decision-making process.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Nursing Delegation and Scope of Practice helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Safe delegation is critical for patient safety and efficient use of healthcare resources. The RN is legally and professionally accountable for the tasks they delegate.
Improper delegation can result in patient harm, missed changes in a patient's condition, and potential disciplinary action against the nurse's license.
What if? If the client has a new condition, such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), the task of 'feeding' is no longer routine. The RN must first perform a comprehensive assessment. The task could only be delegated after a specific, safe feeding plan is created and the HHA is trained on the new precautions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the roles involved: a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Home Health Aide (HHA).
Recognize the negative framing of the question: it asks for the task that does NOT require an RN, meaning it's a task that can be delegated to the HHA.
Evaluate each option against the core principles of the nursing process: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation (requiring judgment), and Evaluation (ADPIE).
Tasks that involve assessment (wound healing), complex interventions/medication administration (adjusting oxygen), or teaching are exclusive to the RN.
Tasks that are routine, have a predictable outcome, and relate to basic personal care (Activities of Daily Living) for a stable patient are delegable.
Select the option that fits the criteria for a delegable, basic care task.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nursing Delegation and Scope of Practice
Stem keywords: registered nurse, delegated, home health aide
Lead-in keywords: NOT require
Clinical cues: The care setting changes urgency, monitoring level, and the expected nursing action.
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the task that does NOT require an RN, which is a negative framing.

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