What task can a home health nurse assign to assistive personnel (AP) for client care?

Assistive personnel (AP) are typically trained to perform basic, routine tasks that are essential for day-to-day patient care. Assisting clients with bathing and oral care falls within the scope of practice for assistive personnel, as these tasks involve personal hygiene and basic care support that do not require extensive medical training. By assigning these tasks to AP, the home health nurse can ensure that the client receives the necessary support for personal care while focusing on more complex clinical responsibilities that require nursing expertise.

On the other hand, managing complex medication schedules involves a level of understanding and skill related to pharmacology and patient management that AP are not trained to handle. Conducting a physical assessment is a professional nursing function that requires assessment skills and clinical judgment, both of which are beyond the role of assistive personnel. Creating client care plans is an advanced function that necessitates comprehensive knowledge of nursing processes and patient needs, making it inappropriate for assignment to AP. Therefore, assisting with bathing and oral care is the most suitable task for assistive personnel within the context of home health nursing.