Which activity can be delegated to an experienced UAP for a hospitalized patient with anemia and GI bleeding?

Which activity can be delegated to an experienced UAP for a hospitalized patient with anemia and GI bleeding?

• A. Obtaining stool specimens for fecal occult blood tests
• B. Having the patient sign a colonoscopy consent form
• C. Giving polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (GoLYTELY)
• D. Checking for allergies to contrast dye or shellfish

Answer: (A)

Delegation hinges on distinguishing tasks that require nursing judgment from those that are routine, noninvasive, and strictly procedural. Obtaining stool specimens for fecal occult blood testing fits that second category. It’s a straightforward collection task: retrieve the specimen, label it correctly, and send it to the lab according to protocol. It does not require assessment, interpretation, or clinical decision-making, so an experienced UAP can perform it under supervision. In contrast, having the patient sign a colonoscopy consent form involves informed consent and patient understanding, which requires nursing responsibility to ensure the patient knows what they’re agreeing to. Giving a medication like GoLYTELY is a pharmacologic administration task with potential risks that requires nursing oversight. Checking for allergies to contrast dye or shellfish requires health history assessment and clinical judgment to prevent adverse reactions, which also belongs to the RN.

Delegation hinges on distinguishing tasks that require nursing judgment from those that are routine, noninvasive, and strictly procedural. Obtaining stool specimens for fecal occult blood testing fits that second category. It’s a straightforward collection task: retrieve the specimen, label it correctly, and send it to the lab according to protocol. It does not require assessment, interpretation, or clinical decision-making, so an experienced UAP can perform it under supervision. In contrast, having the patient sign a colonoscopy consent form involves informed consent and patient understanding, which requires nursing responsibility to ensure the patient knows what they’re agreeing to. Giving a medication like GoLYTELY is a pharmacologic administration task with potential risks that requires nursing oversight. Checking for allergies to contrast dye or shellfish requires health history assessment and clinical judgment to prevent adverse reactions, which also belongs to the RN.