Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on a registered nurse who is caring for a patient with Alzheimer disease prioritizes addressing the hypothesis of a risk for injury. With the targeted goal of preventing falls or injuries during the shift, what specific tasks can the RN delegate to the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to safeguard the patient’s well-being? Can you figure it out?
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a patient with Alzheimer disease in a skilled nursing facility who has a priority hypothesis of risk for injury. The RN chooses the expected outcome: “The patient will not fall or injure themselves during the shift.” Which planned action(s) should the RN delegate to the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to help the patient meet this outcome?
Select all that apply.
A. Administer donepezil as prescribed
B. Monitor patient for behavioral changes
C. Complete a baseline assessment of the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
D. Check the patient’s room for potential safety hazardsE. Assist the patient with bathing
Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answers to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question are…
A. Administer donepezil as prescribed
Rationale: Cholinesterase inhibitors, like donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine, help to make the symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer disease less severe by blocking cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. This oral medication can be administered by the LPN.
B. Monitor patient for behavioral changes
Rationale: The LPN should monitor the patient for any behavioral changes and report them to the RN as these may predispose the patient to injury. The RN will determine if these changes should be reported to the health care provider.
D. Check the patient’s room for potential safety hazards
Rationale: The LPN should check the patient’s room for safety hazards because there is an increased risk of falling, wandering, self-injury, and ingesting harmful substances in patients with Alzheimer disease.
E. Assist the patient with bathing
Rationale: The LPN can assist the patient with bathing as needed. Patients with Alzheimer disease may need assistance bathing to maintain safety and decrease risk for falls.
Major Takeaway
The nurse should use clinical judgment to generate solutions related to Alzheimer disease by identifying expected outcomes and using hypotheses to define a set of interventions. When delegating to the licensed practical nurse (LPN), the registered nurse (RN) should consider skills needed for the tasks. Administering oral medications, monitoring for behavioral changes, checking for potential safety hazards, and assisting with bathing can be completed by the LPN. On the other hand, completing a baseline assessment is under the scope of the RN.
Incorrect answer explanations
C. Complete a baseline assessment of the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
Rationale: This task should be completed by the RN because baseline assessments should not be delegated.
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