For a patient on a post-operative floor, what can the nurse safely delegate to UAP?

The responsibility of completing hygiene care following a traumatic foot amputation can be safely delegated to a Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) because it typically involves assisting the patient with basic personal care tasks. This type of care does not require clinical judgment or advanced nursing skills—rather, it focuses on maintaining patient dignity and comfort during personal hygiene routines, such as bathing or toileting.

The UAP is trained to perform these tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse, ensuring that the patient's hygiene needs are met while allowing the nurse to focus on more complex assessments and interventions. In the context of a patient recovering from surgery, ensuring proper hygiene is essential to promote comfort and prevent infection, which makes delegating this task appropriate.

In contrast, administering medications, performing wound care, and conducting a neurological assessment require specific nursing knowledge, skills, and judgment, as these activities involve monitoring the patient's condition, recognizing potential complications, and making clinical decisions.