Which task can be delegated to a nursing assistant for a COPD patient?

The correct choice is to assist the patient to sit up on the side of the bed. Delegating this task to a nursing assistant is appropriate because it is a basic level of care that involves physical assistance and does not require clinical judgment or specialized nursing skills. Nursing assistants are trained to assist patients with mobility and positioning, which is particularly important for a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to help improve lung expansion and ease breathing.

Moreover, tasks such as instructing a patient on effective coughing, auscultating breath sounds, and teaching how to use incentive spirometry require a deeper understanding of nursing principles, patient assessment skills, and critical thinking. These activities are integral to nursing practice and should be performed by a licensed nurse who can evaluate the patient's response and modify care accordingly if needed.