The nurse manager of a postsurgical unit is preparing the next month's schedule. The manager has reviewed the surgery schedule for the corresponding month and notes there are several high-acuity surgeries. Which staffing adjustment would the manager make to best provide the care needed by these postoperative clients?
A) Increase the number of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
B) Increase the number of licensed practical nurses (LPN).
C) Increase the number of nonnursing support personnel.
D) Increase the number of RNs.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1. While UAPs would be needed for some nursing care, these surgeries are high acuity. UAPs are not the most critical employee for their care.
2. LPNs could be helpful in caring for these clients, but since these are high-acuity surgeries, this employee classification is not the most helpful.
3. Nonnursing support personnel are important to client care, but adding this classification of employee is not the most helpful choice.
4. Since these are high-acuity clients, critical thinking and clinical judgment will be important. The employees best prepared to care for these clients are RNs.

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