During transfer of a patient from the PACU to the surgical unit, which task is appropriate to delegate to nursing assistive personnel?

• A. Help with the transfer of the patient onto a stretcher.
• B. Give a verbal report to the surgical unit charge nurse.
• C. Document the appearance of the patient’s incision in the chart.
• D. Ensure that the receiving nurse understands the postoperative orders.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is what tasks can be safely delegated during a transition of care from the PACU to the surgical unit. Assisting with moving the patient onto a stretcher is appropriate for nursing assistive personnel because it is a physical task that requires safe lifting, proper body mechanics, and the use of transfer equipment, not clinical judgment or interpretation of orders. The patient’s stability allows this kind of help to be provided under supervision, while the licensed nurse remains responsible for the medical aspects of care.

Verbal reports to the unit charge nurse, documenting the appearance of the incision, and clarifying postoperative orders all involve clinical assessment, communication, and interpretation of orders. Those responsibilities require a licensed nurse and should not be delegated to assistive personnel, as they are crucial for ensuring patient safety and proper continuity of care.