Which activity should be assigned to a nursing assistant when caring for a group of clients?

• A. Placing an AKA patient 24 hours post op in prone position.
• B. Assisting a client who had a colon resection 36 hours ago to ambulate.
• C. Administering IV antibiotics to a patient with infection.
• D. Changing a surgical dressing on a wound.

Answer: (B)

Delegation and scope of practice determine which activities a nursing assistant can perform. Assisting a patient who recently had a colon resection to ambulate at about 36 hours post-op fits CNAs’ role because mobility support and helper transfers are core duties, provided the patient is stable, pain is controlled, and there are no contraindications. This kind of ambulation helps prevent complications like pneumonia,血 clots, and ileus and supports recovery, and it’s typically done with a gait belt and supervision from a licensed nurse who monitors vitals and pain.

The other options involve tasks that require a licensed nurse or specialized skill. Administering IV antibiotics involves medication administration and IV management, which CNAs do not perform. Changing a surgical dressing requires sterile technique and assessment of the wound, usually done by a licensed clinician. Placing an above-knee amputation patient in a prone position 24 hours after surgery would require clinical judgment and orders to ensure safety and proper wound care, not something a nursing assistant is expected to perform.