An RN delegates the task of taking a newly admitted client's vital signs to an Enrolled Nurse (EN). The client's blood pressure was 182/98, but did not get reported to the doctor for several hours. Who is responsible for the lapse in time between discovery and action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The RN is responsible for delegating the task and ensuring that the results are reported in a timely manner. It is ultimately their responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the client, and failure to act on a critical result like high blood pressure can have serious consequences for the client. The EN may also bear some responsibility if they failed to recognize the urgency of the situation or did not report the result to the RN in a timely manner, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the RN. The client is not responsible for the lapse in time and the Nurse Manager may have some oversight responsibility, but the immediate responsibility falls to the nurse who delegated the task.

An RN Delegates the Task of Taking a Newly Admitted