Which tasks should the charge nurse delegate to the nursing assistant?

The appropriate task for the charge nurse to delegate to the nursing assistant is to take and record vital signs for assigned patients. This task is well within the scope of practice for nursing assistants, who are trained to perform basic routine clinical tasks. Vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, are essential indicators of a patient's health status and can be effectively monitored by nursing assistants under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

The other tasks listed are more complex and require a higher level of training and critical thinking. Conducting patient health assessments involves evaluating a patient’s condition, making clinical judgments, and often implementing care plans, which are responsibilities reserved for registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. Administering medications as prescribed also requires specialized knowledge about pharmacology, potential side effects, and patient monitoring, making it unsuitable for delegation to nursing assistants. Lastly, providing emotional support to patients involves therapeutic communication and understanding of psychological principles, which are typically expected from nursing professionals rather than nursing assistants. Thus, taking and recording vital signs is the most suitable and appropriate task for delegation in this scenario.