NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

        A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) has almost all of the capacity of a Nurse such as AUSCULTATE/LISTEN, CHECK(S), REINFORCE/REMIND, ADMINISTER (PO,SUBQ,IM — NO HIGH ALERT MEDS, PLASMA, BLOOD PRODUCTS), OBSERVE-COLLECT (DATA, SPECIMENS) i MONITOR- SET UP (BASIC EQUIPMENT).  They are also able to REVIEW/TEACH– USUALLY STANDARD PRACTICES (HAND WASHING/HYGIENE) OR MED ADMINISTRATION (IE. EYE DROPS) .  RN MOSTLY TEACHES (IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXAMPLE OF INSTANCES WHEN LVN/LPN TEACH THAT WOULD BE GREAT- ROUTINE/STANDARD.  WOUND CARE/SUCTION/URINARY CATH** DON’T ASSIGN LVN/LPN TO DO A TASK AN NURSE ASSISTANT CAN COMPLETE**

LVN/LPN

• Auscultate/Listen
• Check(s)-
• Reinforce/remind
• Administer (PO,SubQ,IM — NO high alert meds, plasma, blood products)
• Observe-
• Collect (data, specimens)-
• Monitor- Set up (basic equipment)-
• Review/Teach– Usually standard practices (hand washing/hygiene) or med administration (ie. eye drops) —
• RN mostly teaches (if anyone else has example of instances when LVN/LPN teach that would be great- Routine/Standard-
• Wound care/Suction/Urinary Cath** Don’t assign LVN/LPN to do a task an nurse assistant can complete**

AVOID THESE ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEW/FLOAT/LVN/LPN/TRAVELING

• NEW ONSET/SUDDEN/ACUTE-
• NEW ADMISSION-
• TRANSFER-
• NEWLY DIAGNOSED-
• DISCHARGE-
• REQUIRE EDUCATION/TEACHING (BEYOND BASIC SKILLS — TEND TO BE COMPLEX AND SPECIFIC TO PATIENTS ON THAT PARTICULAR UNIT)-
• UNSTABLE (IE. HIGH RISK OF SUDDEN RESPIRATORY FAILURE, OR REQUIRES FREQUENT ASSESSMENTS AND CHANGES IN THERAPY)

GIVE

• CHRONIC-
• ROUTINE MEDS/PROCEDURES-
• STABLE

ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS

• RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING ABOUT AND IMPLEMENTING STANDARD PRECAUTIONS + AIRBORNE/DROPLET/CONTACT –> THEREFORE ALL CAN TEACH ABOUT IT OR PREPARE A ROOM FOR IT

Prioritization of client care assignments is important to know for the NCLEX.