Which assignment is most appropriate for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

The assignment most appropriate for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) involves providing assistance with activities of daily living, which includes helping patients with ambulation. The scenario of a 26-year-old requiring a one-person assist to walk to the restroom falls within the scope of practice for UAP, as this task primarily involves physical support and monitoring rather than clinical judgment or technical skills.

UAPs are trained to assist with basic patient care tasks that do not require assessment, decision-making, or sterile techniques. Ambulation assistance usually involves ensuring patient safety and providing physical support, tasks that UAPs are prepared to perform under the supervision of licensed nursing staff. In this case, the UAP can help the patient safely get to the restroom, which is a common and appropriate task for this level of personnel.

In contrast, the other scenarios involve responsibilities that exceed the typical training and scope of practice for UAPs. Changing a sterile dressing requires knowledge of infection control and the ability to assess the wound, which should be performed by licensed nursing staff. Continuous enteral feedings may involve monitoring and managing potential complications, which again requires clinical judgment beyond what UAPs are trained for. Lastly, caring for a patient who is post-cardiac catheterization