In a postoperative patient after abdominal hysterectomy, which task is appropriate to delegate to the PN?

• A. Administer a new IV antibiotic.
• B. Change the abdominal dressing.
• C. Provide patient education on lifestyle changes.
• D. Initiate a discharge order.

Answer: (B)

Focus on safe delegation for a postoperative patient: wound care tasks are typically within the duties of a practical nurse. Changing the abdominal dressing after an abdominal hysterectomy is appropriate for the PN because it is a routine, low-risk procedure that uses sterile technique and requires basic wound assessment. The PN can remove the old dressing, clean as ordered, apply a new dressing, and observe the incision for signs of trouble such as unusual drainage, redness, or separation, reporting anything concerning to the RN or physician.

Administering a new IV antibiotic involves pharmacologic management and close monitoring for adverse reactions and IV-site issues, which generally requires RN oversight and physician orders. Providing comprehensive education on lifestyle changes is usually led by an RN or the primary care team, with the PN able to reinforce basic postoperative instructions but not initiate discharge planning. Initiating a discharge order is beyond the PN’s scope and would require an RN or physician to authorize.

So, the dressing change is the task aligned with the PN’s scope in this postoperative setting.