A health care team is caring for a client with dental pain. Which task can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

When considering the delegation of tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), it's crucial to understand the scope of practice for both licensed and unlicensed individuals in a healthcare setting. Administering mouthwash for oral hygiene is a task that falls within the capabilities of UAP. It is a straightforward procedure that involves assisting the client in maintaining oral cleanliness, which does not require the clinical judgment or expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.

In contrast, administering pain medication requires a licensed nurse or physician to assess the patient's condition, determine the appropriate medication, and monitor for potential side effects, thereby making it unsuitable for delegation to UAP. Performing a dental examination is a task that demands specific training and qualifications typically held by dental professionals, thus it cannot be assigned to UAP. Similarly, scheduling a dental appointment, while it may seem administrative, could involve patient assessment and treatment coordination that require a licensed professional's expertise to ensure proper care continuity.

Thus, administering mouthwash for oral hygiene is the only task within this set that aligns with the role of UAP, allowing them to contribute to the client's care effectively within their scope of responsibilities.