Which tasks can a nurse safely delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on a cardiac unit?

Bathing a client who is on telemetry is a task that can be safely delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) because it does not require specialized nursing judgment or assessment skills. UAPs are trained to assist with activities of daily living, which includes bathing. When a client is on telemetry, they are under continuous monitoring for cardiac rhythms, but bathing simply involves assisting the client in becoming clean, which does not compromise their monitoring or necessitate complex assessments from a nurse.

In contrast, feeding a client who is dysphagic requires an understanding of the specific needs of the patient and the potential for aspiration, necessitating the expertise of a nurse. Applying cardiac leads and connecting a client to a cardiac monitor requires technical knowledge and a nursing assessment to ensure accuracy and safety, which is beyond the scope of practice for UAPs. Helping position a client for a portable chest x-ray also necessitates assessment of the client's condition and understanding of their medical needs, which should be performed by licensed nursing staff.