An infant has been transferred from the ICU to the pediatric floor after undergoing surgery to correct a heart defect. Which task can the nurse delegate to the LPN/VN?

An infant has been transferred from the ICU to the pediatric floor after undergoing surgery to correct a heart defect. Which task can the nurse delegate to the LPN/VN?

• A. Administering oral medications
• B. Administering IV morphine
• C. Obtaining vital signs
• D. Discharge teaching

Answer: (A)

The task being tested is safe delegation boundaries for LPN/VN in a pediatric post‑operative setting. LPNs/VNs can handle routine medication administration by non‑intravenous routes under an RN’s supervision. Administering an oral medication fits this scope because it is a straightforward, non‑IV task with an existing order and does not require the ongoing assessment or monitoring that IV medications demand. Giving IV morphine is not delegated to an LPN/VN because it involves IV access, potential rapid changes in the patient’s condition, and close respiratory monitoring that require an RN’s oversight. Discharge teaching is typically the responsibility of the RN because it involves comprehensive teaching and planning for safe transition home. While obtaining vital signs is within the LPN/VN’s capabilities, the best single task to delegate in this postoperative, potentially unstable infant is administering oral medications.

The task being tested is safe delegation boundaries for LPN/VN in a pediatric post‑operative setting. LPNs/VNs can handle routine medication administration by non‑intravenous routes under an RN’s supervision. Administering an oral medication fits this scope because it is a straightforward, non‑IV task with an existing order and does not require the ongoing assessment or monitoring that IV medications demand.

Giving IV morphine is not delegated to an LPN/VN because it involves IV access, potential rapid changes in the patient’s condition, and close respiratory monitoring that require an RN’s oversight. Discharge teaching is typically the responsibility of the RN because it involves comprehensive teaching and planning for safe transition home. While obtaining vital signs is within the LPN/VN’s capabilities, the best single task to delegate in this postoperative, potentially unstable infant is administering oral medications.