An 8-year-old child has stomatitis secondary to chemotherapy. Which task would be best to delegate to a UAP?

• A. Reporting evidence of severe mucosal ulceration
• B. Assisting the child in swishing and spitting an anesthetic mouthwash
• C. Assessing the child's ability and willingness to drink through a straw
• D. Helping the patient to eat a bland, moist, soft diet

Answer: (D)

Focusing on what a UAP can safely do versus what requires nursing judgment or medication handling is key here. Tasks delegated to a UAP should be routine, noninvasive care that supports comfort and basic needs, after appropriate teaching.

Helping the child eat a bland, moist, soft diet fits best because it directly supports nutrition and comfort during stomatitis without requiring nursing assessment or medication administration. A bland, moist, soft diet reduces irritation from mouth ulcers, makes swallowing easier, and is an activity the UAP can perform after simple instructions, with the nurse staying available to monitor intake and pain and to escalate if needed.

The other options involve responsibilities beyond UAP scope. Assisting with swishing and spitting an anesthetic mouthwash involves a prescribed medication and its administration, which requires nursing oversight. Assessing the child’s ability and willingness to drink through a straw is an assessment that requires nursing judgment. Reporting evidence of severe mucosal ulceration is important, but determining and acting on severity typically requires the nurse’s evaluation and intervention planning.