Delegation Assignment

What is delegation?

A transfer of responsibility for performance of a task from one person to another while retaining accountability for the outcome.

What are the “five rights of clinical delegation”?

Right Direction and Instruction

Right Task

Right Circumstance

Right Supervision and Evaluation

Right Delegate

Some nursing tasks cannot be delegated. Which of the following nursing tasks cannot be delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) or LVN?

• evaluation of patient's  response

• PICC line insertion

• health teaching and counseling

The RN has a full assignment. The charge nurse adds a newly admitted patient who will require close monitoring. Which task can the nurse delegate to the UAP who is co-assigned to her patients? 

• Updating Mrs. W’s care plan 

• Teaching Mr. Z insulin self-administration 

• Evaluating goal attainment for Mr. Y who is learning to walk with a below-the-knee prosthesis 

• Bathing Miss X, an unconscious patient

Correct answer:

Bathing Miss X, an unconscious patient

Suction a tracheostomy- Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

No

Obtain platelets from the blood bank- Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

Yes

Patient is requesting oxygen be reapplied-Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

No

Rub lotion on a client’s legs-Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

Yes

Assist oncology patient with oral care- Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

Yes

Perform a heparin/saline flush- Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

No

Change a sterile dressing- Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

No

Do vital signs on a patient in PACU who just arrived from surgery. - Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

No

Remove a peripheral IV- Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

Yes

Hang a new bag of tube feeding-Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

No

Check finger stick blood glucose-Can this task be delegated to a UAP?

Yes