Prioritizing Tasks: What Should a Nurse Instruct a UAP to Do First When Caring for a 3-Year-Old Client on the Pediatric Unit?

The 3-year-old client has been admitted to the pediatric unit. Which task should the nurse instruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to perform first?1. Orient the parents and child to the room.2. Obtain an admission kit for the child.3. Post the child’s height and weight at the HOB. 4. Provide the child with a meal tray.

In this scenario, the nurse is responsible for delegating tasks to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who will be assisting in the care of the 3-year-old client admitted to the pediatric unit

In this scenario, the nurse is responsible for delegating tasks to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who will be assisting in the care of the 3-year-old client admitted to the pediatric unit. The question asks which task the nurse should instruct the UAP to perform first.

First, let’s analyze the options given:

1. Orient the parents and child to the room.
This task involves introducing the parents and child to their new environment. While it is important for the parents and child to feel comfortable and familiarize themselves with the room, it may not be the most critical or immediate need that requires attention.

2. Obtain an admission kit for the child.
An admission kit usually contains essential items required for the admission process, such as identification bands, consent forms, and paperwork. While it is necessary to have these items ready, it may not be the priority at this moment.

3. Post the child’s height and weight at the HOB.
Height and weight measurements are important for monitoring the growth and development of a child. However, in this scenario, it may not be the most urgent or immediate need for the child’s care.

4. Provide the child with a meal tray.
Children, especially at a young age, may have specific dietary requirements, and providing them with a meal tray is an important aspect of their care. However, it may not be the first task that the UAP should be instructed to perform.

Based on this analysis, the most appropriate task for the UAP to perform first would be option 2: Obtain an admission kit for the child. While all the tasks mentioned are important, obtaining the admission kit ensures that all the necessary paperwork and identification bands are available, which is crucial for the proper identification and documentation of the child’s admission.

It is important to note that in any healthcare setting, nurses are responsible for determining the priority of tasks and delegating them appropriately. The nurse should consider the immediate needs of the child, safety concerns, and any specific instructions from the healthcare team when delegating tasks to the UAP.

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