Which patient should a fairly new nurse be assigned?

Assigning a fairly new nurse to a patient requiring incentive spirometry teaching is a suitable choice for several reasons. First, teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer is a foundational skill that falls within the scope of practice for a new nurse. This task involves clear, straightforward instructions and practical demonstration, allowing the new nurse to apply basic nursing principles effectively while managing a patient's respiratory health.

Furthermore, incentive spirometry is a routine procedure aimed at preventing postoperative complications and promoting lung expansion. The task is relatively low-risk, enabling the nurse to build confidence in their teaching and patient interaction skills without the complexities that might arise with more critical or unstable patients.

In contrast, patients on airborne precautions or those who have recently undergone procedures such as bronchoscopy may present additional challenges that require more experienced nursing judgment and advanced assessment skills. This could include managing infection control measures or monitoring for complications post-procedure. Typical COPD patients may require more intensive management and understanding of chronic disease states, which also may not align with the skill set of a new nurse.

Thus, the selected assignment fosters an educational opportunity for the new nurse while ensuring that patient care is safe and appropriately managed.