Which task should a nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) for an acutely ill patient?

Feeding a patient who is recovering from a stroke is the most appropriate task to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) in this scenario. UAP can assist with activities of daily living, which includes feeding patients who are able to eat but may need help due to strength or coordination issues as a result of their condition. This task falls within the scope of practice for UAP, who are trained to assist patients with basic care needs.

In contrast, assessing vital signs, administering medication, and changing a wound dressing all require a higher level of clinical judgment, assessment skills, or specialized training. These tasks are typically performed by licensed nursing professionals who can evaluate the implications of findings or complications that may arise. For example, assessing vital signs involves interpreting the data collected to understand the patient's current health status, which is outside the UAP's responsibilities. Similarly, administering medication and changing a wound dressing involve understanding the nuances of patient care and potential risks, necessitating the expertise that licensed nurses possess.