When delegating tasks to nursing staff, which task is most appropriate for an LPN when admitting a client with acute liver failure?

In the context of admitting a client with acute liver failure, the most appropriate task for an LPN is to insert an indwelling catheter if the client has not voided in 3 hours. The role of an LPN encompasses a variety of responsibilities that include managing basic patient care tasks and performing procedures that do not require the extensive critical-thinking skills and comprehensive assessments expected of a registered nurse (RN).

Inserting an indwelling catheter is a technical skill that aligns with the LPN's scope of practice. LPNs are trained to perform this procedure, especially in situations where monitoring urinary output is essential for assessing the patient's fluid balance and renal function, which can be particularly critical in cases of liver failure.

In contrast, administering oral medications and conducting pain assessments are typically within the more advanced scope of practice of an RN, especially in complex cases like acute liver failure where the patient's condition may rapidly change and requires thorough assessment and evaluation of the medication's effects.

Changing NG tube dressings may also fall into a routine care task that would generally be appropriate, but it is not as critical in the immediate assessment and stabilization of the client as the need to manage urinary output can be. Therefore, ensuring that an indwelling catheter is in place to