Which action can be assigned to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

• A. Administer analgesic.
• B. Measure the client's urinary output.
• C. Interpret lab results.
• D. Perform dressing change.

Answer: (B)

UAPs are entrusted with routine, noninvasive tasks that involve collecting objective data rather than making clinical judgments. Measuring a client’s urinary output fits this role because it is a straightforward data collection task that doesn’t require assessment or interpretation. For a patient with kidney disease, accurate intake and output is essential to monitor fluid balance and treatment progress, and UAPs are typically trained to measure urine volume (from a container or drainage bag), record it accurately, and report any notable changes.

Administering analgesics involves medication administration and assessment of pain, which requires licensed nursing responsibility. Interpreting lab results requires clinical judgment and knowledge of what the values mean in context. Dressing changes often require sterile technique and wound assessment, which are generally reserved for licensed staff or specialized wound care providers.