Which task can the nurse safely delegate to assistive personnel (AP) when caring for a stable client?

Measuring vital signs of a postoperative client is a task that can be safely delegated to assistive personnel (AP) when caring for a stable client. This task involves routine data collection which is essential for monitoring the client’s condition, especially after surgery, but does not require clinical judgment or assessment skills that a nurse would typically employ.

In this context, the AP can effectively measure and record the vital signs like temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. These vital signs provide important information that will help the nurse to observe any changes in the client’s status, allowing for timely interventions if needed. The task is standardized and does not involve interpretation, making it suitable for delegation.

Assessing the client’s respiratory status, administering medications, and evaluating client pain levels are more complex tasks that require critical thinking, clinical judgment, and specialized training. These are responsibilities that fall within the nursing scope of practice and require professional knowledge to ensure safety and efficacy in patient care.