Which task can you delegate to an LVN?

Which task can you delegate to an LVN?

• A. Reinforce teaching
• B. Trach care
• C. Enteral feedings
• D. Medication administration

Answer: (D)

Delegation and scope of practice guide what an LVN can handle. Licensed vocational nurses are trained to administer medications under the supervision of an RN or physician and to monitor the patient’s response for adverse effects. Because medication administration relies on established orders and doesn’t require independent clinical judgment, it’s a task commonly delegated to an LVN. The other tasks involve more complex assessment or airway and nutrition management, which typically require the RN’s higher level of responsibility. Trach care and enteral feedings require ongoing patient assessment, monitoring for complications, and sometimes sterile technique or critical decision-making. Reinforcing teaching is important, but the initial education and discharge planning are usually driven by the RN. Thus, medication administration fits the LVN scope best and is the task most appropriate to delegate.

Delegation and scope of practice guide what an LVN can handle. Licensed vocational nurses are trained to administer medications under the supervision of an RN or physician and to monitor the patient’s response for adverse effects. Because medication administration relies on established orders and doesn’t require independent clinical judgment, it’s a task commonly delegated to an LVN.

The other tasks involve more complex assessment or airway and nutrition management, which typically require the RN’s higher level of responsibility. Trach care and enteral feedings require ongoing patient assessment, monitoring for complications, and sometimes sterile technique or critical decision-making. Reinforcing teaching is important, but the initial education and discharge planning are usually driven by the RN. Thus, medication administration fits the LVN scope best and is the task most appropriate to delegate.