A newly licensed nurse is caring for a client who requires tracheal suctioning, which is a procedure the nurse has not performed in practice. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. Ask an experienced nurse to assist with the procedure: Seeking assistance from an experienced nurse promotes patient safety and supports proper skill development. The newly licensed nurse can observe, perform the procedure under supervision, and ensure that the client receives competent care while staying within professional practice boundaries. B. Delegate the task to an assistive personnel: Tracheal suctioning is a sterile and invasive procedure that requires nursing judgment and assessment, which are outside the scope of practice for assistive personnel. C. Identify that the task is in the scope of RN practice and perform the suctioning: Although tracheal suctioning is within an RN’s scope, the nurse should not perform it independently without adequate training or supervision. D. Refuse to take the assignment: Refusing the assignment entirely is inappropriate because the nurse has a duty to provide care within their level of competence. Instead, the nurse should seek guidance and supervision to safely complete the procedure.