A nurse is caring for a client in an emergency department (ED). Exhibits The nurse reviews the Nurses’ Notes from Day 1 at 1100. Select 4 tasks the nurse should plan to delegate to the assistive personnel.
Explanation & Rationale
A. Perform daily weights: Daily weights are important to monitor progress and detect fluid or nutritional changes. This routine, non-invasive task is appropriate for delegation to assistive personnel (AP) under nurse supervision. B. Identify thoughts that reinforce disordered eating patterns: Requires therapeutic communication and assessment, which are nursing responsibilities. Not appropriate for delegation to AP. C. Accompany the client to the restroom following meals: Clients with bulimia are at risk of vomiting or purging after eating. Having an AP accompany the client helps prevent self-induced vomiting and ensures compliance with the treatment plan. The AP should report any unusual behavior to the nurse. D. Observe the client during meals: Monitoring during meals ensures the client eats appropriately and avoids concealing or discarding food. This is a behavioral safety measure that can be delegated, while the nurse focuses on therapeutic interventions. E. Consult the dietitian to determine the client’s caloric intake: Consulting other team members is a nursing role, involving coordination of interdisciplinary care. F. Use cognitive behavioral techniques to address the client’s behavior: CBT and psychotherapy require specialized knowledge and are conducted by nurses or mental health professionals, not assistive personnel. G. Discuss measures to assist the client to develop a positive body image: Involves therapeutic communication and counseling, not within the AP’s scope. H. Encourage the client to discuss feelings of new eating patterns: Addressing emotions and behavioral change is a therapeutic intervention requiring nursing judgment. I. Check the client’s vital signs: Vital signs provide data about orthostatic hypotension, dehydration, or arrhythmia risk. The AP can collect this data, while the nurse evaluates and interprets the results.