What task can a nursing assistant perform for you?

A nursing assistant can perform tasks that are considered supportive and do not require the skills or education of a licensed nurse. Helping a patient to their side while a nurse assesses the patient's back is within the scope of practice for a nursing assistant. This task involves basic patient care techniques aimed at ensuring the comfort and safety of the patient while facilitating an assessment by a licensed nurse.

In contrast, assessing lab results requires clinical judgment and training beyond what a nursing assistant has, as it is a task reserved for licensed healthcare professionals who have the knowledge to interpret results. Administering medications is also outside the nursing assistant's scope of practice, as it requires pharmacological knowledge, decision-making skills, and accountability that licensed professionals possess. Similarly, initiating IV therapy involves advanced skills and knowledge of sterile techniques and patient safety protocols that are not part of a nursing assistant's training. Thus, the correct answer effectively highlights a task that aligns with the competencies of a nursing assistant while ensuring patient safety and dignity.