Delegation RN, LPN, CNA, nursing student intern

[mondee619]

I understand that the RN can delegate tasks to the LPN or CNA depending on the patient's status and task. (Don't delegate if you can Evaluate, Assess, and Teach). If I was the nurse of a toddler with an unrepaired cardiac defect and the charge nurse got a call from lab about the toddler's K+ level of 5.7 mEq/L. The charge nurse notices that it is of priority to remove all sources of dietary K+ from the child's dinner tray. Who would the charge nurse appropriately delegate this task to? (RN, LPN, CNA, Nursing student intern)

Originally, I was thinking CNA because it only involves removing K+ food items, then I thought LPN because it may need some more knowledge of what foods contain K+. After a few more days, I reread my practice question and now I'm leaning to RN because it is a priority. I was also thinking, what if it involves a new teaching to the parent/patient as to why I have to remove the K+ foods. I keep going in circles.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Sounds like a collaborative approach with the dietician may be in order. Do you know all the foods that have high potassium levels? Do you think most RNs would know this?

[mondee619]

As a nurse, I would look everything up that is on the patient's tray (for K+) just to be safe. I do not believe nurses or anybody would know everything. Thank goodness for resources :) That's why I want to go with RN and not the CNA, LPN (to be on the safe side).

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

What if you work in a facility (like ours) where you're restricted from using the internet? IT security won't allow any browser to open, no iPods/smartphones allowed. How will you "look it up"?

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I'm leaning towards RN for a few reasons.

The patient has an "unrepaired" cardiac defect. LPNs (in nursing school world) deal with stable, recovering patients who are about to be discharged. The patient, due to diagnosis and K+ level, should also be assessed by an RN It wouldn't make sense to me to send someone else in.

I get these types of questions wrong all the time, though. Sooo...

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I understand that the RN can delegate tasks to the LPN or CNA depending on the patient's status and task. (Don't delegate if you can Evaluate, Assess, and Teach). If I was the nurse of a toddler with an unrepaired cardiac defect and the charge nurse got a call from lab about the toddler's K+ level of 5.7 mEq/L. The charge nurse notices that it is of priority to remove all sources of dietary K+ from the child's dinner tray. Who would the charge nurse appropriately delegate this task to? (RN, LPN, CNA, Nursing student intern)

Originally, I was thinking CNA because it only involves removing K+ food items, then I thought LPN because it may need some more knowledge of what foods contain K+. After a few more days, I reread my practice question and now I'm leaning to RN because it is a priority. I was also thinking, what if it involves a new teaching to the parent/patient as to why I have to remove the K+ foods. I keep going in circles.

IMHO you have already answered your question....:)

[mondee619]

If I did not have the electronic or web for resources on K+, then I would have the RN do it. Thank you Esme, I forgot to mention this in my post, about the unrepaired cardiac defect. I figured that the patient may be unstable or the outcome may be unexpected, which lead me to the RN removing K+ foods from the tray. Not mentioned, but included with the teaching would be a reassessment of the patient. Thank you for all of your guidance!!!

[mondee619]

Thank you Pangea for the reminder *unrepaired cardiac defect