Florida Assisted Living Facilities Practice Exam

What can nurses do in a standard licensed ALF?

1. Apply topical creams and change bandages

2. Direct unlicensed staff to give PRN medications

3. Decide not to report unusual medication reactions

4. Take telephone orders

The correct answer is: Take telephone orders

In a standard licensed Assisted Living Facility (ALF), nurses are permitted to take telephone orders from licensed healthcare providers for medications and treatments. This task is aligned with the nursing scope of practice, which includes following established protocols for medication management. When nurses take telephone orders, they ensure that the instructions are clear and confirmable. They also have the responsibility to verify and document these orders appropriately. On the other hand, while nurses can apply topical creams and change bandages, the context of the question emphasizes what they are specifically allowed to do in terms of taking orders and management of care processes. Directing unlicensed staff to administer PRN medications is also outside the standard practices since it can lead to medication administration errors if not properly monitored. Additionally, deciding not to report unusual medication reactions goes against the ethical and legal obligations nurses have to ensure patient safety and quality of care. Thus, the ability to take telephone orders represents an essential practice that falls squarely within the responsibilities of a nurse working in an ALF setting.