A registered nurse is supervising several LPNs who provide patient care. Which responsibility should the registered nurse expect to complete?

Question

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 1

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.