If the RN has several LPNs on the shift to supervise, which of the fol

If the RN has several LPNs on the shift to supervise, which of the following responsibilities will fall to the RN?

1. Evaluating the care provided to the client.
2. Administering intramuscular (IM) medications.
3. Performing dressing changes.
4. Delegating appropriate tasks to unlicensed client care providers (such as a nurse’s aide).

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The RN has the knowledge and skill to make more sophisticated nursing judgments, and is responsible for assessing the client’s condition, planning care, and evaluating the effect of the care provided.
Rationale 2: LPNs practice under the supervision of an RN in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, or home health agency, and usually provide basic, direct technical care to clients that can include the administration of scheduled IM medications if the institution includes that in the LPN’s job description.
Rationale 3: LPNs practice under the supervision of an RN in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, or home health agency, and usually provide basic, direct technical care to clients that can include dressing changes.
Rationale 4: LPNs practice under the supervision of an RN in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, or home health agency, and usually provide basic, direct technical care to clients that can include appropriate delegation of tasks to unlicensed client care providers.