Questions: Which task would the labor and delivery nurse delegate as directed to the nursing assistant? Providing ice chips to a client who reports a dry mouth Checking the cervix of a client who is not close to delivery Tearing off a strip of paper from the fetal heart rate monitor Administering oxygen to a client with decreasing oxygen saturation

The task that the labor and delivery nurse would delegate to the nursing assistant is the first one: providing ice chips to a client who reports a dry mouth.

Explanation for each option:

1. Providing ice chips to a client who reports a dry mouth: This task is appropriate for delegation to a nursing assistant. It is a non-invasive, simple task that does not require clinical judgment or specialized skills.

2. Checking the cervix of a client who is not close to delivery: This task should not be delegated to a nursing assistant. Checking the cervix requires clinical assessment skills and should be performed by a nurse or a healthcare provider with the appropriate training.

3. Tearing off a strip of paper from the fetal heart rate monitor: While this task might seem simple, it involves handling medical equipment and interpreting data, which typically falls under the responsibilities of a nurse or trained personnel.

4. Administering oxygen to a client with decreasing oxygen saturation: This task involves clinical judgment and the potential for rapid changes in a patient's condition, so it should be performed by a nurse or a healthcare provider with the appropriate training.

In summary, the task of providing ice chips is suitable for delegation to a nursing assistant, as it is straightforward and does not require specialized skills or clinical judgment.