Which of the following activities could be performed by a patient care tech for an SCI patient?

• A. Obtain a blood pressure.
• B. Assess the IV site.
• C. Do initial teaching for incentive spirometer.
• D. Turn the patient independently.

Answer: (A)

Understanding what a patient care tech can do hinges on scope of practice and safe delegation. Measuring vital signs is a basic, noninvasive skill that PCTs are trained to perform, and it provides essential information for monitoring patients, including those with spinal cord injuries. A blood pressure reading is quick, carries minimal risk, and can be done with proper technique under supervision. The other tasks require more specialized assessment or teaching: assessing an IV site involves detecting signs of infiltration, infection, or catheter issues and is typically done by nursing staff; initial instruction for using an incentive spirometer involves patient education and ensuring correct technique, usually provided by a nurse or respiratory therapist; turning a patient with spinal cord injury independently poses safety risks and requires appropriate training and oversight. For these reasons, obtaining a blood pressure is the best fit for a patient care tech in this scenario.