The client's nursing diagnosis is Deficient Fluid Volume related to excessive fluid loss. Which action related to fluid management should be delegated to a UAP?

• A. Administering IV fluids as prescribed by the physician
• B. Providing straws and offering fluids between meals
• C. Developing a plan for added fluid intake over 24 hours
• D. Teaching family members to assist the client with fluid intake

Answer: (B)

Focusing on delegation boundaries for a client with deficient fluid volume, the task that can be safely handed to a UAP is helping with access to fluids and prompting intake. Providing straws and offering fluids between meals supports hydration in a routine way without requiring nursing judgment or clinical intervention. It helps the patient drink more and stay hydrated while staying within the UAP’s scope of practice when the patient is stable.

Administering IV fluids requires nursing assessment, monitoring, and the physician’s order, and developing a plan for increased fluid intake over a 24-hour period involves nursing evaluation and care planning. Teaching family members to assist with fluid intake is an educational activity that nurses typically handle to ensure accurate information and safety.