Which task requires a licensed nurse to perform that UAP cannot?

• A. Checking blood pressure
• B. Administering IV medications
• C. Feeding via tube
• D. Providing routine wound care

Answer: (B)

Administering IV medications requires the practitioner to manage intravenous access, calculate and regulate infusion rates, and closely monitor for adverse reactions or complications. This involves pharmacology knowledge, assessment skills, and the ability to respond to emergencies such as infiltration, phlebitis, air embolism, or anaphylaxis. Those competencies are within a licensed nurse’s scope of practice and are not within the typical responsibilities of UAPs.

Other tasks like checking blood pressure, feeding via a tube, and providing routine wound care are commonly within UAP responsibilities under proper supervision or policy, as they do not require the specialized pharmacologic administration and ongoing clinical monitoring that IV med administration necessitates.