The care team on a medical-surgical unit is delegating tasks to a practical nurse and an unlicensed assistive personnel. Which activity should be delegated to the UAP?

• A. Anchor an inserted urinary catheter in place with tape.
• B. Administer IV antibiotics.
• C. Assess the patient's pain level.
• D. Change a sterile dressing.

Answer: (A)

Focusing on routine, noninvasive care that does not require clinical judgment is what guides delegation to a UAP. Anchoring an inserted urinary catheter in place with tape is a basic maintenance task done after placement to prevent tugging or dislodgement and to reduce movement that could irritate the tract or cause infection. It doesn’t involve assessing the patient, initiating treatment, or handling medications, so it’s appropriate for a UAP under supervision.

Administering IV antibiotics requires managing the IV line, dosing, infusion rate, and monitoring for adverse reactions—this is medication administration and nursing responsibility. Assessing the patient’s pain level involves clinical judgment and ongoing evaluation, which is beyond a UAP’s scope. Changing a sterile dressing requires sterile technique and assessment of wound status, tasks that require a licensed nurse.