Which activity is within the scope of a UAP?

• A. Interpreting lab results
• B. Routine vital signs and hygiene
• C. Developing care plans
• D. Performing a nursing assessment

Answer: (B)

This item tests what tasks fall within the scope of a UAP and are appropriate to delegate. UAPs handle routine, day-to-day patient care tasks that don’t require nursing judgment, such as taking and reporting basic vital signs and assisting with hygiene. Routine vital signs—like temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure—and hygiene activities are basic care tasks that a UAP can perform under supervision and with proper training. In contrast, interpreting lab results requires clinical judgment and understanding of clinical thresholds, which are responsibilities of a licensed nurse or physician. Developing a care plan involves nursing assessment, prioritization, and professional decision-making, and performing a nursing assessment itself is a comprehensive data-gathering process that informs care decisions and is beyond the UAP scope. Therefore, routine vital signs and hygiene is the best choice.