Which pain management-related tasks can the RN delegate to the LPN?

The task of administering oral pain medication can be delegated to the LPN because LPNs are typically trained and authorized to administer medications under the supervision of an RN. This delegation aligns with their scope of practice, which includes monitoring patients and providing basic nursing care, such as administering medications as ordered.

In contrast, tasks such as assessing characteristics of pain and providing discharge teaching about pain management require a higher level of critical thinking and patient assessment skills, which are within the RN's scope of practice. These responsibilities involve evaluating a patient’s condition and adapting care plans accordingly, which is a key function of an RN. Measuring vital signs, while a task that could potentially be done by an LPN, typically requires an RN's clinical judgment, especially when evaluating the effectiveness of pain management after medication administration.