The registered nurse assigns tasks to the licensed practical/vocational nurse and unlicensed assistive personnel on the shift. Which task should be assigned to the UAP?

• A. Repositioning a client in bed who has an external fixator on the lower extremity.
• B. Administering intravenous antibiotics.
• C. Assessing the client's pain and creating a care plan.
• D. Performing sterile dressing changes.

Answer: (D)

Delegation is about assigning tasks to the person whose role and training best match the task, so care stays safe and efficient. Unlicensed assistive personnel handle routine, clearly defined tasks that follow established procedures and don’t require nursing judgment or interpretation of the patient’s condition.

Performing sterile dressing changes fits this pattern. It’s a procedural task with a concrete, step-by-step protocol focusing on maintaining asepsis. Once a UAP is trained on the protocol and supervised, this task can be completed without needing the nurse to assess or alter the care plan. The other options involve activities that require professional nursing assessment, clinical decision-making, or medication administration, which fall outside the UAP’s scope.