When care assignments are being made for patients with alterations related to gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, which patient would be the most appropriate to assign to an LPN/LVN under the supervision of a team leader RN?

When care assignments are being made for patients with alterations related to gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, which patient would be the most appropriate to assign to an LPN/LVN under the supervision of a team leader RN?

• A. A patient with severe anemia secondary to GI bleeding
• B. A patient who needs enemas and antibiotics to control GI bacteria
• C. A patient who needs preoperative teaching for bowel resection surgery
• D. A patient who needs central line insertion for chemotherapy

Answer: (B)

The main idea is matching tasks to what an LPN/LVN can safely do under supervision. Enemas and prescribed antibiotics to control GI bacteria are routine, noninvasive care tasks that the LPN/LVN can perform with monitoring and reporting to the RN. These tasks are within typical LPN scope when the patient is stable and under supervision, making them appropriate for delegation. In contrast, the patient with severe anemia from GI bleeding may require urgent assessment of bleeding and possible blood transfusion or hemodynamic monitoring—interventions that usually require an RN. Preoperative teaching for bowel resection is a teaching responsibility typically handled by an RN or educator to ensure comprehensive understanding of the procedure and perioperative care. Central line insertion for chemotherapy is an invasive procedure needing specialized training and credentials beyond the LPN/LVN scope, reserved for an RN or physician. So, the patient needing enemas and antibiotics fits the LPN/LVN scope best under team leader RN supervision.

The main idea is matching tasks to what an LPN/LVN can safely do under supervision. Enemas and prescribed antibiotics to control GI bacteria are routine, noninvasive care tasks that the LPN/LVN can perform with monitoring and reporting to the RN. These tasks are within typical LPN scope when the patient is stable and under supervision, making them appropriate for delegation.

In contrast, the patient with severe anemia from GI bleeding may require urgent assessment of bleeding and possible blood transfusion or hemodynamic monitoring—interventions that usually require an RN. Preoperative teaching for bowel resection is a teaching responsibility typically handled by an RN or educator to ensure comprehensive understanding of the procedure and perioperative care. Central line insertion for chemotherapy is an invasive procedure needing specialized training and credentials beyond the LPN/LVN scope, reserved for an RN or physician.

So, the patient needing enemas and antibiotics fits the LPN/LVN scope best under team leader RN supervision.