The nurse assigns client care to a nursing assistant. Which wound care tasks should the nurse assign to the nursing assistant?

Question

1. Apply the hydrocolloid dressing.
2. Assess dimensions of the wound.
3. Report visible drainage on dressing.
4. Change first postoperative dressing.

Answer 1

3
3. The nurse assigns reporting visible drainage on the dressing to the nursing assistant because the assistant is trained to perform the wound care task.
1, 2, and 4. The remaining wound care tasks require critical thinking and nursing judgment, assessment, and evaluation skills that the nurse cannot delegate because the nurse owes these duties to the client. In addition, the nurse avoids delegating the first postoperative dressing change because it is a sterile procedure requiring the same nursing skills and judgment.