Managing patient care prioritization and delegation Flashcards
What tasks can be assigned to a UAP?
Ambulation Bathing Hygiene measures Positioning ROM exercises Skin care Some specimen collection Transporting a pt
What tasks can be assigned to an LPN?
All UAP tasks Oral medications Subq/IM injections Selected IVPB medications Dressing changes Monitoring IV flow rate Suctioning Instruct about basic hygiene and Urinary catheterization Wound irrigation
What tasks can be performed by an RN?
All LPN tasks
IV meds
Leading others and managing pt care envmt
Teaching
What are the nursing care delivery methods?
Primary nursing - RN is at bedside and assumes responsibility for the care
- RN has high level of clinical autonomy
- Must establish trust from pt and physicians
Team nursing - RN leads a team that is made up of other RNs, LPNs, CNAs
- Limitation - team leader doesn’t spend as much time with pt
- Advantage - encourages each member of the team to help one another
How do you decide which patient needs to be cared for first?
Make choice based on urgency or importance
What is a high priority case?
Life-threatening situation (breathing, hemorrhaging)
Something that needs immediate attention (post-op complications)
Something important to the pt (anxiety, pain)
Who is going to die the fastest?
Look for people with problems with ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation)
Transfers/new arrivals are first priority
Always give meds first to the person who has not yet received them
What is a medium priority case?
Could result in unhealthy consequences, but not life-threatening
What is a low priority case?
Based on the significance to the pt and the high likelihood that the problem will be easily resolved
What’s the difference between high priority and medium priority?
High priority includes physiological reaction to pain, dysregulated vital signs
What are do not delegate tasks?
Anything that needs assessment
Nursing diagnoses, nursing care goals, progress plans
Discharge education
RN stays with pt if unstable
