Chapter 4: Delegation Lecture Notes

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the nursing delegation process as outlined by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Delegate

To authorize another person to perform a nursing task in a certain situation.

Competent

The requirement that a person must be capable of performing a task in a given situation before it is delegated to them.

RN (Registered Nurse)

A member of the nursing team who can delegate nursing tasks to LPNs/LVNs and nursing assistants.

LPN/LVN

Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses who, in some states, can delegate tasks to nursing assistants.

Nursing Assistant

A member of the nursing team who cannot delegate tasks to others.

NCSBN

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which describes the four steps in the delegation process and the Five Rights of Delegation.

Step 1 of the Delegation Process

Assessment and planning, which are performed by the nurse.

Step 2 of the Delegation Process

Communication, which involves interaction between the nurse and the nursing assistant.

Step 3 of the Delegation Process

Surveillance and supervision, where the nurse observes the care given by the nursing assistant.

Step 4 of the Delegation Process

Evaluation and feedback, which are performed by the nurse.

The Right Task

One of the Five Rights of Delegation that ensures the specific nursing task is appropriate to delegate.

The Right Circumstances

One of the Five Rights of Delegation that considers the person's setting and available resources.

The Right Person

One of the Five Rights of Delegation that ensures the right person is delegating the right task to the right person to be performed on the right person.

The Right Directions and Communication

One of the Five Rights of Delegation that requires the nurse to provide clear and complete instructions.

The Right Supervision

One of the Five Rights of Delegation that includes providing guidance, monitoring, and evaluation of the task.

Accepting a Task

When you agree to perform a task, becoming responsible for your own actions and completing the task safely.

Refusing a Task

The action taken when a task is beyond your legal limits, not in your job description, or could cause harm, requiring sound reasons and reporting concerns to the nurse.