Which tasks can an LPN appropriately perform?

The appropriateness of reinforcing teaching to a new mother about baby care aligns well with the scope of practice for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs are trained to provide support and education to patients and their families regarding various aspects of care, which includes reinforcing information provided by registered nurses or other healthcare providers. This task typically involves reiterating instructions about infant care, such as feeding, hygiene, and basic safety measures, which is part of the LPN’s role to ensure that families feel confident and competent in caring for their newborns.

In contrast, some of the other options listed require skills or responsibilities that generally fall outside the LPN's scope of practice. For instance, adjusting a patient's cervical traction often requires more advanced knowledge and skill typically associated with registered nursing or physical therapy. Obtaining an occult blood sample may involve clinical skills that vary by state regulations for LPNs, and performing a comprehensive assessment of a newly admitted patient for chest pain usually exceeds the scope of practice for LPNs, as this level of assessment is primarily the responsibility of registered nurses or other healthcare professionals. Therefore, reinforcing education on baby care is an appropriate and valuable task for an LPN to undertake.