The labor and delivery (L&D) nurse is floated to a medical-surgical floor for a shift. Which client is most appropriate for the charge nurse to assign to the L&D nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nurses must sometimes "float" to a nursing unit outside of their normal area of practice based on staffing needs. A nurse who floats to an unfamiliar practice area should be assigned clients who do not require specialized knowledge and can be safely managed with similar skills as with their usual client population. It is the responsibility of the floated nurse to inform the supervisor of any lack of experience with the client population and to request orientation to the unit. Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses possess focused knowledge and training to care for the obstetric population but are able to generalize many skills to other client populations. L&D nurses frequently care for pregnant women with urinary tract infections and would be familiar with the management of a client with pyelonephritis. The administration of IV antibiotics is a general nursing skill with which all nurses should be familiar (Option D). (Option A) The L&D nurse is likely unfamiliar with IV heparin administration, which requires close monitoring and specific knowledge of infusion titration. (Option B) The L&D nurse likely lacks the specific knowledge required to assist with bedside paracentesis and monitor for potential post-procedure complications. (Option C) A client who undergoes an amputation has unique educational and care needs, with which the L&D nurse is likely unfamiliar. Educational objective: A float nurse should be assigned clients who require care similar to the nurse's usual client population. Clients requiring care from a nurse with specialized knowledge should not be assigned to a float nurse.

The Labor and Delivery (L&D) Nurse Is Floated to a Medical-Surgical