Delegation & Scope of Practice (4-6)

What is delegation in nursing?

Assigning tasks to another person while retaining accountability for patient care.

What tasks can commonly be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Vital signs, bathing and hygiene, ambulation, and basic care.

What nursing tasks should NOT be delegated?

Nursing assessment, clinical judgment, patient education, and care planning (A-J-E-P).

What does A-J-E-P stand for in delegation?

Assessment, Judgment, Education, and Planning.

What are the 5 rights of safe delegation?

Right task, right circumstances, right person, right direction/communication, and right supervision/evaluation.

What is the right task in delegation?

Determining whether the task is appropriate to delegate.

What are the right circumstances in delegation?

Ensuring the patient’s condition and situation are appropriate for the delegated task.

What is the right person in delegation?

Ensuring the person receiving the task has the appropriate skills and competence.

What is right direction/communication in delegation?

Providing clear instructions, expectations, and information about the task.

What is right supervision/evaluation in delegation?

Monitoring the delegated task and evaluating the results.

What are the 3 major conditions of informed consent?

Voluntary consent, capacity and competence, and sufficient information.

What does voluntary consent mean?

The patient gives consent freely, without coercion.

What do capacity and competence mean in informed consent?

The person has the cognitive ability to understand the information and its implications.

What does sufficient information mean in informed consent?

The patient receives enough information about the treatment to make an informed decision.

What is the nurse’s role in informed consent?

Determine that valid consent elements are present, witness the signature, provide feedback, and communicate the need for further information to the primary provider.

What should nurses NOT do regarding informed consent?

Explain the treatment or procedure or evaluate whether the physician fully explained all risks, benefits, and alternatives.

What is the legal scope of nursing practice based on?

NPA, licensure, ANA, and institutional policy.

What is the professional scope of nursing practice based on?

Education, certification, and experience.

What determines whether a nurse should perform a task?

The nurse must be educated for it, competent in it, and legally authorized to perform it.

What is accountability in nursing?

Being answerable for one's actions and outcomes to patients, employer, profession, society, and oneself.

What is responsibility in nursing?

Carrying out the duties of one's role.

What are examples of nursing responsibilities?

Staying current, providing evidence-based care, documenting accurately, delegating appropriately, and advocating.

What are scope-of-practice barriers for APRNs?

Some states restrict advanced practice registered nurses despite evidence supporting broader practice.

What does the Future of Nursing report recommend regarding scope of practice?

Full scope of practice.