UAP duties....help

RN59217 · Jan 19, 2014

Only RNs assess. Only RNs do blood. Only RNs give IV pushes.

LPNs can do procedures, so dressing changes, insert catheters, drop NG tubes....

UAP can do everything else. Assist with feedings, ambulation....

Anyone can "gather data". So the RN can ask UAP to get vital signs. UAP can say BP was 120/80, HR is 70. RN cannot ask UAP if there are crackles in the lungs, if the HR is regular, if there's a pericardial friction rub present, etc...

RN59217 · Jan 19, 2014

Additionally: learn synonyms for "assessment". If it says "determine the pH of the aspirate from a NG tube", that's assessment.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 19, 2014

What is the actual question?? What's the rationale for the question?

Each question will be significantly different; for instance LPNs can "gather data", including assessment-just not the initial assessment; LPNs are able to have "stable" patients...so those particular questions will guide you to those particular answers. :yes:

RN59217 · Jan 19, 2014

What is the actual question?? What's the rationale for the question?
Each question will be significantly different; for instance LPNs can "gather data", including assessment-just not the initial assessment; LPNs are able to have "stable" patients...so those particular questions will guide you to those particular answers.

Be careful with this. The term "assessment" can be thrown around and used in places where assessment is not actually required. The NCLEX wants you to determine what is actually "assessment". For NCLEX purposes, LPNs cannot assess.

I know that was as clear as mud. Example:

"Assess the patient's pain level" is not really "assessment". You ask the patient what is their pain level on a scale of 0-10. They say 6. The LPN can record that the pain level is a 6. There is no "nursing judgment" required. The pain is what the patient says it is. Period. Same thing with "determine the amount of food the patient has eaten". Well, the food is either there or it's not, and if it's not, then the patient ate it, 'cause we're not throwing around the possibility that some was thrown out etc. So if 50% of the food is gone, then 50% of the food is gone. Again, no nursing judgement required.

Now if the LPN reports "the patient says he is going to hurt himself," the RN cannot delegate that the LPN go back and ask the patient if he has a plan and access to means. That's assessment because the RN has to determine how suicidal the patient actually is. The RN can delegate a LPN to stay with the patient though.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 19, 2014

Be careful with this. The term "assessment" can be thrown around and used in places where assessment is not actually required. The NCLEX wants you to determine what is actually "assessment". For NCLEX purposes LPNs cannot assess. I know that was as clear as mud. Example: "Assess the patient's pain level" is not really "assessment". You ask the patient what is their pain level on a scale of 0-10. They say 6. The LPN can record that the pain level is a 6. There is no "nursing judgment" required. The pain is what the patient says it is. Period. Same thing with "determine the amount of food the patient has eaten". Well, the food is either there or it's not, and if it's not, then the patient ate it, 'cause we're not throwing around the possibility that some was thrown out etc. So if 50% of the food is gone, then 50% of the food is gone. Again, no nursing judgement required. Now if the LPN reports "the patient says he is going to hurt himself," the RN cannot delegate that the LPN go back and ask the patient if he has a plan and access to means. That's assessment because the RN has to determine how suicidal the patient actually is. The RN can delegate a LPN to stay with the patient though.[/quote']
I'm good; my information is from being an LPN and an NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN test taker AND RN...
They key to any question is to know what the question is asking, as well as terms of delegation in nursing; each study source is specific in determine and spelling out what delegation is to entail, PDA is very specific; hence me assessing what the OP needs to know.
An LPN can "assess" pain and give medication and evaluate medications; that is not solely for RNs; I answered questions to that effect on the NCLEX PN. On the NCLEX-RN; the questions in terms of delegation to LPNs were based on assignment; so no, having a post OP-vs a three day post OP to give to an LPN would mean to give the there day to the LPN as oppose to the immediate post-OP; where the "assessment" of complications would be of the RN. Most of the questions are pretty clear cut in terms of delegation to LPN; stable, monitored pts can be given to a LPN vs newly an potentially unstable pts cannot. That is more clear than anything else-and I transitioned into more delegation and this would stump me as well; once I thought of stable vs unstable; the more clear of WHAT delegation was appropriate.

ssk5 · Jan 19, 2014

Thanks,guys.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jan 21, 2014

Some of the delegation questions in the NCLEX threw me for a loop.

I remember a question asking which patient the RN should assign the LPN. As usual, two of the choices were clearly wrong. The other two choices were: a pt requesting pain medication and a pt requiring scheduled sterile dressing changes to stasis ulcers. My thought was the pt asking for pain meds. Medication administration is the bread and butter of practical nursing, right?

Well, the correct answer was that the RN should have the pt requesting pain medication, while the LPN should be assigned to the one needeing the dressing changes.

I suppose the rationale is that a dressing change is a routine procedure whereas being painful could be indicative of something more serious, requiring a RN assessment.