The nurse leading a care team on a medical-surgical unit is assigning client care to a practical nurse (PN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which activity should the nurse assign to the PN?

Choice A reason: Administering medications by piggyback infusion is within the scope of practice for a practical nurse (PN). PNs are trained and licensed to administer medications, including IV piggyback infusions, under the supervision of a registered nurse. This task requires knowledge of medication administration but does not require the higher-level critical thinking and assessment skills reserved for RNs. Choice B reason: Determining the need for urinary catheterization requires assessment and clinical judgment, which are responsibilities of the RN. PNs can perform catheterization once ordered, but they cannot independently determine the need for the procedure. Therefore, this task is inappropriate to delegate to a PN. Choice C reason: Initiating teaching for client care after discharge is an RN responsibility because it involves patient education, assessment of learning needs, and evaluation of understanding. Teaching requires advanced knowledge and accountability, which are outside the PN’s scope of practice. Choice D reason: Completing comprehensive assessments is an RN responsibility because it involves synthesizing data, identifying problems, and planning care. PNs can contribute to data collection but cannot perform or interpret comprehensive assessments independently.