What task could an RN delegate to a nursing assistant?

The option involving collecting vital signs is an appropriate task for delegation to a nursing assistant. Nursing assistants are trained to measure and record vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. This task does not require the complex clinical judgment or assessment skills that a registered nurse employs, making it suitable for delegation.

In contrast, tasks like wound dressing changes and IV flushes are clinical procedures that require a higher level of training, knowledge, and clinical judgment, typically reserved for registered nurses. These procedures involve assessing the patient's condition, identifying potential complications, and making decisions based on the assessment, which are skills outside the scope of practice for nursing assistants. Additionally, suctioning a patient is a skill that requires careful monitoring and judgment, particularly related to patient safety and comfort, and therefore should also be performed by a registered nurse.

Delegating tasks appropriately is crucial to ensure both patient safety and efficient use of healthcare resources, clearly highlighting why collecting vital signs is the most suitable task for a nursing assistant in this scenario.