A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving 0.45% sodium chloride at 45 mL/hr by continuous IV infusion. Which of the following tasks can the nurse delegate to the assistive personnel (AP)?

Delegation in nursing involves assigning tasks to assistive personnel (AP) that are within their scope of practice and do not require clinical judgment or sterile skill. IV therapy management requires critical thinking, assessment, and technical skill, which are responsibilities of the registered nurse. However, APs can assist by observing and reporting changes or concerns related to patient care. Safe delegation ensures patient safety while maintaining appropriate use of healthcare team resources. Rationale: A. Changing the IV solution bag is not appropriate for assistive personnel because it requires technical knowledge and sterile technique to maintain IV therapy safety. This task involves direct manipulation of IV fluids and potential infection control risks, which fall under nursing responsibility. B. Calculating IV intake requires interpretation of fluid balance data and clinical judgment to evaluate hydration status. This is a nursing responsibility because it directly affects assessment of fluid status and decision-making in IV therapy management. C. Regulating the IV flow rate requires assessment skills and knowledge of ordered infusion rates, making it a nursing responsibility. Incorrect adjustment can lead to fluid overload or inadequate therapy, which may compromise patient safety. D. Reporting any IV infusion alarms is appropriate for assistive personnel because it involves observation and communication of a problem without requiring clinical judgment or intervention. The AP should alert the nurse so that appropriate assessment and corrective action can be taken.