LPN duties and responsibilities include all aspects of basic nursing care. LPNs or licensed practical nurses are the ones who deal directly with the patients on a day to day basis and are at the forefront of patient care. Working as an LPN is a highly responsible job as they stand in for RNs and doctors who cannot be around 24/7 to take care of patients. As a result, a large part of patient care is entrusted to LPNs who work in shifts and are as capable as the RNS or doctors they work under.
Licensed practical nurses take care of the daily needs of patients. They monitor their wellbeing, render assistance when needed and convey any problems during patient treatment to the doctor in charge or the registered nurse. Through your LPN training you will learn your job functions.
Some of the detailed LPN job responsibilities include the following:
Preparing Patients For Procedures
LPNs help prepare patient who may have to undergo routine tests either because they are scheduled for surgery or in order to monitor their progress. Part of the preparation includes explaining to the patient about what to expect, administering all pre-procedure medication, dressing the patient appropriately and conveying the patient to the appropriate hospital department.
Monitoring Medication Charts & Administering Medication
Every patient in a hospital will typically have a different medication schedule. A licensed practical nurse is generally assigned the task of monitoring medication charts and ensuring that the right medications are given on schedule for effective patient care.
Monitoring Vital Signs
An important part of LPN duties includes monitoring daily variations in a patient’s temperature, blood pressure and other vitals. This helps doctors assess the patient’s health and their recovery from sickness or from any major surgical surgery.
Maintaining & Regulating IV Drips
When a patient is being administered glucose, medications or blood through an IV tube, it is the LPN’s responsibility to note the level of IV solution periodically and change the IV when required.
When the need arises, licensed practical nurses may also have to monitor and change oxygen supplies, epidural infusions; naso-gastric tubes; fluid bags and catheters.
First Aid
Anyone who’s seen an emergency room knows how chaotic it can be. All patients need urgent care and it can seem like it is impossible for doctors and nurses to catch up. This is where licensed practical nurses offer crucial support to doctors and patients by dealing with the simple wounds and injuries, leaving the doctors free to deal with the critical cases and the severely injured. Some of the LPN duties in such scenarios include cleaning and dressing wounds, applying bandages, administering injections and assisting the doctor with more complex procedures.
Helping with Patient Hygiene & Comfort
LPNs help patients with their daily hygiene rituals and make sure they are comfortable.
Monitoring Fluid & Food Intake
Ensuring that the patient’s fluid and food requirements are met is also part of LPN responsibilities.
Daily Massage
LPNs are responsible for giving therapeutic massages to patients who need it.
Providing Emotional Support
While all aspects of nursing care are equally important, one of the most critical of all LPN duties is providing emotional support to patients who are depressed or are in severe pain.