Which task should be assigned to a patient care tech for an SCI patient?

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

Answer: (A)

Measuring vital signs is a basic data-collection task that fits a patient care tech’s role, and obtaining blood pressure provides objective information crucial for monitoring an SCI patient’s status. It’s a straightforward, non-interpretive task that the tech can perform and promptly report to the nurse for follow-up.

Other tasks require nursing assessment or education or involve activities that may need specialized precautions in SCI care. Assessing an IV site involves clinical evaluation for signs of infiltration or infection. Initial teaching for an incentive spirometer requires instruction and evaluation of technique. Turning the patient safely can be essential but often needs coordinated effort and knowledge of spinal precautions, and may not be appropriate to do independently without supervision.

So, taking the blood pressure aligns with the tech’s scope and supports ongoing monitoring in an SCI patient.