LPN chest tube delegation

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Hi everyone,

I am a second year nursing student and need a clarification on delegation regarding chest tubes. Would this be delegated to another RN? My thinking was that many things could go wrong and would need assessment and futher critical thinking. By this I am in no way saying LPN's do not critical think-let me make that very clear. I'm working on test review and want to make clear in my mind. Thanks for any help you could give me. :yeah:

The LVNs at my hospital do everything, too ...but the "textbook" answer is that an RN should be taking care of a patient with a chest tube, and the OP is describing herself as a second year student. :heartbeat

Oh... I thought she meant after becoming an LPN..... I misread the OP. Thanks :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The acceptance or rejection of LPN's in any particular state depends of the strength of the RN lobbying body in that particular state. This is one of my issue with "unions" for nurses is the total rejection of LPN's as being apart of the nursing family deserving of representation too.

OP.......think about who is asking that test question and what is thier bias about the usage of LPN's......the answer for the test is........

(Orange TreeRe: LPN chest tube delegation)

The "right" answer is that the patient with a chest tube should be assigned to the care of an RN. An LVN should be assigned uncomplicated patients who are unlikely to deteriorate (ex: a lap chole, one day post-op, with no complications who is expected to be discharged in the morning).

In real life, of course, you have very experienced LVNs and very inexperienced RNs........

Although in practice, like most of the things you were taught in school, your experience will be very different.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in hopeful ER/Surg.

Thanks, guys!! As a mere text-book jockey at this point, I would always regard an experienced LVN (LPN) with experience as having earned a place above that of a new nurse.

I am glad I got the "right" answer, though :)

THE answer will come with time.

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