What is the best nursing care task to assign to a practical nurse working at a diabetic clinic?

The best nursing care task to assign to a practical nurse working at a diabetic clinic is to describe the meaning of an HbA1c result of 9.9%. This task is appropriate because a practical nurse is qualified to provide education about lab results and their implications for the patient’s diabetes management. Understanding the HbA1c level is crucial for patients, as it reflects their average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months and indicates how well their diabetes is controlled. With a result of 9.9%, the practical nurse could help the client understand the significance of their high level, discuss possible lifestyle changes, and reinforce the importance of regular monitoring and control of blood sugar levels.

In contrast, teaching a client how to administer insulin, performing foot examinations for diabetic ulcers, and administering vaccines typically involve more advanced assessment and teaching skills that a registered nurse might be better suited to handle, particularly the nuances of insulin administration and the assessment of foot complications. These tasks demand a comprehensive understanding of diabetes management, patient safety, and potential complications, making them less appropriate for assignment to a practical nurse in this context.