Which tasks can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) for a postop client requiring oxygen?

Delegating the task of assisting the client to the bathroom to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is correct because this activity falls within the scope of practice for UAP. They are trained to support patients with activities of daily living, such as toileting, personal hygiene, and mobility assistance. After surgery, patients may require help to ensure safety and avoid falls while navigating to the bathroom, especially as they may still be recovering from anesthesia or experiencing limited mobility.

In contrast, making clinical decisions such as determining the need for supplemental oxygen involves professional judgment and assessment skills, which are beyond the scope of what UAP can provide. Keeping accurate medical records is also a responsibility that typically requires professional accountability; while UAP may take vital signs, they should not document them without supervision to ensure accuracy and appropriateness. Notifying the nurse of changes in the patient’s condition, such as increased respirations, is another task that requires some degree of clinical assessment to appropriately interpret the findings and decide on the necessary actions, which is best left to licensed personnel.