Which task should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP) in a long-term care facility?

The task of assisting a client with ambulation is appropriate for delegation to assistive personnel (AP) in a long-term care facility because it falls within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel. Assisting clients with basic mobility needs is typically part of their training and responsibilities.

Ambulation help involves guiding or supporting clients as they move from one place to another, ensuring their safety, and encouraging physical activity, which is crucial for maintaining mobility in a long-term care setting. Nurses can appropriately assign this task, allowing them to focus on more complex care activities that require their specialized training and assessment skills.

On the other hand, administering medication, performing wound dressing changes, and assessing nutritional needs require a higher level of skill, knowledge, and legal responsibility that should be handled by licensed nursing staff. These tasks involve critical thinking, assessment, and clinical judgment, which are beyond the scope of a certified nursing assistant or other unlicensed personnel.