Which nursing task is considered an RN scope of practice?

The task of evaluating the IV site falls within the scope of practice for registered nurses (RNs) due to their extensive training and responsibility in patient care. RNs are trained to assess and monitor complex medical conditions, which includes examining IV sites for any signs of complications such as infiltration, phlebitis, or infection. This assessment is critical to ensuring patient safety and the effectiveness of treatment.

While other tasks, such as administering topical creams, charting observations, and assisting with activities of daily living, are important and may be performed by other levels of nursing personnel or aides, they do not require the same level of critical thinking and assessment skills that are essential for evaluating IV sites. The responsibility of monitoring IV sites specifically requires an understanding of potential complications and the ability to respond to any issues that may arise appropriately, which underscores the RN's role in providing complex care.