Question 1

The nursing team consists of one RN (registered nurse), one LPN (Licensed practical nurse), and one nursing assistant. What is the most appropriate assignment for the RN to delegate to the LPN?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: An LPN can safely perform many predictable, routine interventions for stable clients, including administering scheduled (non-IV, non-high-risk) medications per facility policy. This task fits the LPN scope because it follows an established plan of care and does not inherently require complex assessment or clinical judgment. Passing meal trays and emptying a Foley are basic, routine tasks that are typically appropriate for delegation to a nursing assistant. Suctioning 1 day after a tracheostomy carries higher risk for airway compromise and requires close assessment and decision-making, making it more appropriate for the RN.

Question 2

Which is the best instructional guidance for the nurse-manager to include for the staff nurses when delegating the responsibility to revise the unit’s educational policies?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason:  Effective delegation requires clear expectations, including a measurable endpoint and timeline, so the delegatee can plan work and the manager can monitor progress. Setting a specific due date establishes accountability and supports prioritization and resource allocation for a larger, multi-step assignment like revising policies. Vague statements that only offer availability or ask for opinions without parameters fail to define deliverables and make follow-up difficult. While collaborative input is appropriate, the most essential instructional guidance in delegation is specifying when the task is to be completed.

Question 3

The registered nurse (RN), an LPN, and a UAP are caring for clients on a neurological unit. Which task would be most appropriate for the nurse to assign/delegate?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation is based on scope of practice and patient safety: RNs keep initial assessments and clinical judgments, while LPNs can perform many predictable, routine tasks under RN direction. Routine medication administration is within typical LPN scope for stable clients, making it an appropriate delegated task. An admission assessment requires RN-level assessment and formulation of the nursing plan of care, so it should not be delegated to an LPN. Central line dressing changes and Glasgow Coma Scale scoring involve higher-risk sterile technique and/or complex neurologic assessment requiring RN competence rather than UAP performance.

Question 4

A registered nurse is in charge of eight clients. The nurse has a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and a client care assistant working under her. Which activity should the nurse assign to herself rather than delegate to the staff?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: This includes interpreting findings, making clinical decisions, and initiating or modifying the plan of care, which cannot be delegated to LPNs or assistive personnel. LPNs and client care assistants can perform task-oriented care (e.g., enemas in appropriate settings, some tube care per policy) once the RN has assessed and determined stability and goals. Delegating the admission assessment risks missed cues and unsafe delays in recognizing deterioration.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for clients on a telemetry floor. Which nursing task would be most appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation to UAP is appropriate for routine, non-sterile, non-assessment tasks with predictable outcomes that do not require nursing judgment. Transporting a stable, discharged client by wheelchair is a standard supportive activity that can be performed safely by UAP using basic safety measures. Teaching a client is an RN responsibility because it requires assessment of understanding and individualized instruction. Assisting a post–cardiac catheterization client to ambulate is higher risk due to potential bleeding/vascular complications at the access site and requires nursing assessment and clinical judgment before and during mobility.

Question 6

Which is proper delegation of a task from the registered nurse to the nursing assistant?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: "Take a tympanic temperature for Mr. Green in Room 515 at 5 p.m." Delegation to a nursing assistant is appropriate for routine, noninvasive tasks with predictable outcomes that do not require nursing assessment, judgment, or teaching. Measuring a tympanic temperature is a standardized vital-sign task that falls within typical nursing assistant scope and the RN can interpret the result afterward. By contrast, evaluating whether pain is better is an assessment that requires clinical interpretation and cannot be delegated. Advancing a diet is a provider/RN decision requiring assessment of tolerance and orders, so it is not appropriate for a nursing assistant.

Question 7

A registered nurse (RN) is supervising an unlicensed care provider. Which principle would the nurse follow when delegating tasks?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation is an RN accountability function that includes selecting appropriate tasks, matching them to the right person, and ensuring patient safety through oversight. The RN retains overall responsibility for outcomes of delegated care, including assessment of the situation, communication of clear instructions, and evaluation of results. Direct supervision is not required for every task; the level of supervision depends on patient acuity, task complexity, and staff competence. It is incorrect to assume responsibility ends after delegation or that follow-up is only needed when staff seem untrustworthy, because evaluation and accountability are always required.

Question 8

While caring for multiple clients, the nurse delegates client skin care to the UAP on a musculoskeletal unit. Which client is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate skin care to the UAP?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Buck’s traction is a form of skin traction, so skin assessment and hygiene around the traction apparatus are generally routine and can be performed with clear instructions while the RN retains responsibility for evaluation. In contrast, a wound dressing change for osteomyelitis requires sterile technique and nursing judgment. Skeletal traction and external fixators involve pin-site care and higher risk for neurovascular compromise and infection, making them inappropriate to delegate as “skin care” to a UAP.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a group of clients on a hospital unit with the assistance of the LPN. Which aspect of client care would be most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the LPN?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Giving a prescribed oral medication with known parameters is a standard LPN task with RN oversight. By contrast, completing an admission requires comprehensive assessment and care planning, and preparing for a newly prescribed biopsy involves higher-risk pre-procedure assessment and teaching. Observing a self-catheterization of a continent urinary diversion is typically an evaluation/teaching activity that requires RN-level assessment of technique, learning needs, and complications.

Question 10

The hospitalized client with heart failure is receiving dobutamine intravenously. Of the associated responsibilities in the care of the client, which statement is most appropriate for the RN when delegating to the experienced NA?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation requires assigning tasks that are routine, have predictable outcomes, and do not require nursing judgment. With an IV inotrope, frequent vital signs are essential monitoring data that a trained NA can obtain, while the RN retains responsibility for interpretation and any clinical decisions. Teaching is an RN function, and making medication/infusion adjustments is outside NA scope and unsafe. Communicating clinical concerns to the provider is part of RN assessment and coordination rather than an NA duty.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for the client with an STI who is immobile. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to the UAP?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: An immobile client needs hygiene and comfort measures, which fit within UAP scope when the nurse provides any needed instructions and later evaluates outcomes (e.g., skin integrity and comfort). The other options involve client education and counseling about infection prevention and partner treatment, which require RN-level teaching, evaluation of understanding, and addressing sensitive psychosocial/legal considerations. Therefore the most appropriate delegated task is the basic bathing/comfort care activity.

Question 12

The nurse and the UAP are caring for clients on a medical surgical unit. Which task would be most appropriate to assign to the UAP?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: UAPs can perform routine, non-sterile, non-assessment tasks such as assisting with feeding when the client is stable and the care plan is established. Feeding support for tremors is an expected ADL intervention that does not require nursing judgment beyond initial assessment and ongoing evaluation by the nurse. Sterile dressing changes require aseptic technique and clinical judgment, and administering an antacid is medication administration, both of which are outside UAP scope. A hallucinating client requires nursing assessment and safety evaluation (e.g., neurologic status, medication effects), so delegating that situation is inappropriate.

Question 13

A nurse colleague that you work with always appears to be busy and overwhelmed. The nurse leaves late after almost every shift. When you offer assistance, the nurse’s reply is invariably, “No, I’m all right. I prefer to do it myself but thank you for asking.” This nurse is demonstrating difficulty with what important aspect of multidisciplinary client care?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Effective multidisciplinary care requires distributing appropriate tasks to others to use the team efficiently while maintaining accountability and supervision. Consistently refusing help, staying late, and insisting on doing everything personally indicates inability or unwillingness to transfer tasks that could be safely completed by other qualified staff. This pattern increases risk for missed care and errors due to fatigue and poor workload balance. Although prioritization can contribute to feeling overwhelmed, the repeated rejection of assistance most directly reflects a delegation problem rather than a sequencing issue.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for clients on a rehabilitation unit. Which nursing task would be most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation to UAP is appropriate for routine, noninvasive tasks that do not require nursing assessment, teaching, or evaluation. Holding a urinal is a basic supportive activity that can be safely performed while the nurse retains responsibility for monitoring outcomes. Teaching tube feeding and evaluating a client’s return demonstration of self-catheterization require RN judgment and cannot be delegated. Inserting a suppository is an invasive procedure and is typically outside UAP scope depending on policy, making it a higher-risk choice than simple toileting assistance.

Question 15

The nurse must use critical thinking skills and good judgment to appropriately delegate responsibility for portions of client care to other members of the health care team. What are the “five rights” of client care delegation?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Safe delegation is based on ensuring the activity is appropriate to hand off and that patient stability and setting support doing it safely. The nurse must match the task to the delegatee’s education/competency and legal scope, then provide clear directions including expected outcomes and when to report back. Delegation also requires ongoing monitoring and follow-up so the RN maintains accountability for overall care and intervenes if the patient’s condition changes. Other options describe the five rights of medication administration or procedural verification elements, not delegation principles.

Question 16

A physician ordered a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity stat. Which approach is best for a nurse to use in delegating this task?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: "We need urine for culture stat on the client in room 101. Tell me when you send it to the lab." Effective delegation uses clear, specific instructions that include the task, the level of urgency, and the expected follow-up/feedback. This statement communicates exactly what specimen is needed and that it is time-sensitive, while also setting an accountability checkpoint so the nurse can ensure timely transport and prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment. Including the request to report back supports supervision and evaluation, which remain the RN’s responsibility even when the task is delegated. The other options are either too vague about expected follow-up or use tentative phrasing that weakens clarity and urgency for a stat order.

Question 17

A nurse calls the hospital’s lift team to assist with transferring an overweight client from the bed to a chair for the first time after hip surgery. Prior to the transfer, the nurse reports the client’s recent surgical procedure, surgical site, and any difficulties that the lift team might expect to encounter while assisting the client out of bed to the chair. The nurse then stays in the client’s room and supervises the procedure until the client transfer is complete and the client has the nurse call system within reach. What steps of the nursing process did the nurse use to appropriately delegate the client care in this example?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Safe delegation follows the nursing process: assess the client and situation, plan what can be safely assigned and what information must be communicated, implement by giving clear directions and ensuring appropriate resources, and then evaluate by supervising and confirming outcomes. Here, the nurse assessed the post-op status and transfer risks, planned the use of the lift team, and implemented delegation by communicating procedure/site and anticipated difficulties. The nurse then evaluated by staying to supervise the transfer and ensuring the call system was within reach, verifying safety and completion. Options that insert “delegation” as a nursing-process step are incorrect because delegation is a management activity carried out within assessment/planning/implementation/evaluation rather than replacing them.

Question 18

Delegation of responsibility between members of the multidisciplinary health care team is essential to provide quality and timely client care. Which statement best describes delegation?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation is defined as transferring the responsibility to perform a specific task to another qualified individual while the delegator retains accountability for overall outcomes and supervision as required. This option accurately captures the key concept of reassigning the performance responsibility for a task. Option A more closely describes care coordination/management, and option D describes prioritization rather than delegation. Option C is incorrect because RNs may delegate within their scope, role, and facility policy; it is not limited to charge nurses or managers.

Question 19

Delegation of responsibility for selected client care tasks is performed by nurses and members of the multidisciplinary health care team to manage time effectively and promote quality client care. What is the correct definition of delegation, as defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA)?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation is the transfer of responsibility for performing a task while the nurse retains accountability for overall outcomes and supervision appropriate to the situation. This option best matches the ANA concept by focusing on assigning a task to another person to be carried out. Option A is incomplete because direct supervision is not always required; the level of supervision depends on client stability, task complexity, and staff competency. Option B describes care coordination/collaboration rather than delegation, and option D is unethical and misrepresents professional delegation.

Question 20

The nurse and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are caring for assigned clients. It would be most appropriate for the nurse to assign UAP to?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Linen change is a predictable hygiene/comfort activity that does not require evaluation of neurologic status beyond reporting observations. In contrast, applying a CPM device and positioning a fresh AKA client prone involve higher risk and require nursing assessment and monitoring of complications (neurovascular status, pain, surgical site tolerance). Repositioning a client with hydrocephalus plus headache and vomiting suggests increased intracranial pressure and requires immediate RN assessment and intervention rather than delegation.

Question 21

Which of the following should the RN not delegate to a UAP?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Wound care commonly involves sterile technique and ongoing assessment of the wound (drainage, odor, tissue type, infection signs) and the patient’s response, which requires RN-level decision-making. In contrast, bathing and measuring/recording intake and output are standard UAP responsibilities when the client is stable and the RN provides clear parameters. CPR is typically within UAP scope in many facilities as a trained, protocol-driven emergency response (BLS), while the RN retains responsibility for coordination and follow-up care.

Question 22

The charge nurse is supervising a registered nurse (RN) in the care of a client with hypertension. The charge nurse should intervene if the RN asks the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Instruction on checking a pulse before taking a beta-blocker is medication-related education tied to safety (eg, holding the dose and contacting the provider if bradycardic), which must be done by an RN or LPN/LVN per scope and facility policy. Having the UAP document routine vital signs or obtain orthostatics can be appropriate if the client is stable and the RN retains responsibility for interpretation. A key delegation red flag is assigning tasks that require evaluation, decision-making, or education.

Question 23

The registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) are caring for a client with an infected leg ulcer. Which task should the RN delegate to the LPN/VN?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation follows scope-of-practice rules: LPN/VNs may perform focused, routine, and predictable procedures and collect specimens using established protocols. Obtaining a wound culture during a scheduled dressing change is a technical skill that does not require the RN’s comprehensive assessment or clinical judgment if the plan of care is established. Teaching about nutrition, assessing risk for additional skin breakdown, and initiating referrals require RN-level assessment, education planning, and care coordination. A common delegation trap is assigning client teaching or initial assessment tasks to the LPN/VN, which must remain with the RN.

Question 24

A nurse educates a nurse graduate about the responsibility for delegated tasks. Which statement by the graduate nurse requires additional teaching?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: ” Delegation requires the RN to remain accountable for assessment, evaluation, and communication of significant patient status changes. A patient fall is an acute change/safety event that requires immediate RN assessment and initiation of appropriate notifications/interventions. Unlicensed assistive personnel should promptly report the event to the RN rather than independently contacting the provider, since they are not responsible for clinical evaluation or provider communication. The other statements appropriately reflect RN responsibilities to assess, interpret findings, and follow up on delegated care.

Question 25

The registered nurse is planning clinical assignments for a geriatric nursing unit. Which of the following assignments should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Obtaining vital signs is a standard, procedure-based task that an LPN can perform, with the RN responsible for interpreting trends and acting on abnormal findings. Postoperative monitoring by obtaining vitals is appropriate as long as the client is not described as unstable or requiring complex assessment. By contrast, performing an assessment after surgery or a full physical assessment for a new admission requires RN-level assessment and decision-making.

Question 26

The nurse and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are caring for assigned clients. Which of the following tasks would be appropriate for the nurse to assign to UAP?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation to UAP is appropriate for routine, predictable tasks with minimal risk and no requirement for nursing assessment, teaching, or clinical judgment. Capillary blood glucose monitoring is a standardized procedure commonly within UAP scope after training/competency validation, and the nurse can interpret results and decide interventions. In contrast, oral care for an unconscious client with a tracheostomy carries aspiration/airway risks requiring close nursing assessment and airway management readiness. Ambulating a client with a history of falls increases risk for injury and often requires nursing judgment about safety needs, and dressing changes involve sterile technique and wound assessment that should not be delegated to UAP.

Question 27

The RN is leading a team of an NA and an LPN in the care of a group of clients. Which tasks should the nurse assign to the NA and LPN?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation principles assign routine, noninvasive tasks to the NA (such as measuring and recording output) and medication administration to the LPN within scope. This option appropriately matches task complexity with provider scope of practice. Option A is incorrect because assessment is an RN responsibility. Option C is incorrect because LPNs do not typically handle complex family communication. Option D is incorrect because discharge teaching and final review must be completed by the RN, not delegated to the LPN.

Question 28

The LPN is working under the supervision of the experienced RN. The charge nurse should assign which client to the LPN?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The LPN should be assigned stable clients with predictable conditions and minimal risk for complications. A client with uncomplicated cystitis on oral antibiotics is stable and appropriate for LPN care. Option B involves a more acute infection requiring closer assessment. Option C includes IV push narcotics and a pending procedure, requiring RN-level judgment. Option D involves teaching, which is primarily the responsibility of the RN.

Question 29

The nurse asks a nursing assistant to administer a preoperative bath to a client using special soap designed to decrease the bacteria count on the client’s skin. The nursing assistant has no experience with this type of preoperative bath and asks the nurse for instructions. The nurse replies, “Just read the directions on the soap bottle. You will figure it out.” Which “right” of delegation did the nurse fail to perform while delegating the preoperative bath to the nursing assistant?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The “right communication” requires the nurse to provide clear, specific instructions and verify understanding when delegating a task. The nursing assistant explicitly stated lack of experience, and the nurse failed to give proper guidance or ensure competency. Simply directing the assistant to read instructions does not meet safe delegation standards. The other rights (client, circumstances, person) are not the primary issue here; the breakdown is in inadequate instruction and supervision.

Question 30

The nurse is working with the UAP on a telemetry unit caring for the client who had an MI three days ago. Which task is appropriate to delegate to the UAP?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: UAPs can perform routine, noninvasive tasks such as measuring and reporting vital signs and oxygen saturation. This task is appropriate for delegation because it does not require clinical judgment or teaching.
Option A involves medication administration, which cannot be delegated to UAP. Options C and D involve teaching, which is the responsibility of the RN.

Question 31

The nurse is assigning tasks to the UAR. Which task best demonstrates proper delegation?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Tasks delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel should be routine, noninvasive, and involve stable clients. Ambulating a postoperative client who is several days out from surgery and presumed stable fits these criteria. Bathing multiple clients may be unrealistic or unsafe due to workload, while inserting a nasogastric tube and providing medication education require nursing judgment and cannot be delegated.

Question 32

The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which client task should the nurse delegate to the UAP?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: UAPs are appropriate for assisting with basic, non-invasive, routine care such as feeding stable clients. A client with mild dementia who needs help with a meal is a low-risk, predictable task. IV replacement, ABG collection, and wet-to-dry dressing changes require nursing assessment, clinical judgment, and sterile technique, and therefore must be performed by a licensed nurse.

Question 33

A licensed practical nurse is planning the client assignments for the day. Which of the following is the most appropriate assignment for the nursing assistant?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Nursing assistants (UAPs) are appropriate for routine, non-invasive tasks such as ambulation, hygiene, and basic care for stable clients. Frequent ambulation is a safe delegated task. Wound irrigation and managing tube feedings require nursing judgment and skill, while frequent vital signs after a cardiac catheterization involve monitoring for potential complications and require a licensed nurse.

Question 34

A unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) has been delegated to assist with an enema for a client. Which of the following statements made by the UAP indicates an understanding of the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Enema administration should be slowed or briefly stopped if cramping occurs because excessive flow/pressure distends the colon and triggers pain and vagal responses. Lowering the enema container reduces the hydrostatic pressure, decreasing the infusion rate and allowing the bowel to relax so the client can better tolerate the procedure. Inserting the tube 4 to 6 inches is not correct for all clients (adult insertion is typically about 3–4 inches, less for children), making it an unsafe “one-size-fits-all” statement. Keeping the client only in the left-side position is overly rigid (left Sims is preferred for insertion, but positioning may be adjusted for comfort/retention), and encouraging immediate bowel movement may interfere with retention when ordered.

Question 35

The nurse is reviewing leadership and management concepts with a student nurse. Which of the following statements by the student nurse would require follow-up?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: ” Accountability for nursing care and outcomes remains with the RN and cannot be transferred through delegation. While an RN can delegate selected tasks to an LPN/VN, the RN must ensure the task is appropriate, provide clear instructions, and evaluate outcomes. The delegatee is responsible for their own actions (responsibility), but the RN retains overall accountability for the patient’s care. The other statements reflect standard leadership and legal principles (laissez-faire is typically passive; the five rights of delegation and nurse practice act role definitions are foundational concepts).

Question 36

A nurse is managing the care of several clients on a surgical floor. Which task can the nurse delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Delegation to UAP is appropriate for routine, standardized tasks that do not require nursing assessment, clinical judgment, teaching, or administration of medications. Assisting a stable post-op client with ambulation is a predictable activity that can be performed with clear instructions and within facility policy. IV antibiotic administration and rhythm monitoring involve medication administration and ongoing assessment/interpretation, which require a licensed nurse. Reinforcing diet teaching is still patient education, which remains the nurse’s responsibility because it requires evaluation of understanding and potential adjustment of the plan.

Question 37

You are the leader of a health care team that includes a licensed practical/vocational nurse, a nursing assistant, a nursing student, and yourself. To whom is it appropriate to assign complete client care?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Complete client care involves assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, which are responsibilities of the registered nurse. While tasks can be delegated, full accountability for comprehensive care remains with the RN. Other team members have more limited scopes of practice.

Question 38

Which of the following clients would be best to delegate to the lpn?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: A client with potassium level if 3.0 meq-L and needs oral potassium replacement Delegation principles allow the LPN to provide care for stable clients with expected outcomes and to administer routine medications while the RN retains teaching, initial assessments, and management of unstable/high-risk therapies. Oral potassium replacement for hypokalemia is a predictable intervention that can be administered with ongoing monitoring per protocol, making it appropriate for an LPN assignment. In contrast, new medication teaching (enoxaparin self-administration) requires RN-led education and evaluation of learning. Clients on IV antihypertensive therapy or a nitroglycerin drip with chest pain represent higher acuity and require RN assessment/titration and rapid clinical decision-making.

Question 39

The registered nurse is planning clinical assignments for a geriatric nursing unit. Which of the following assignments should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Obtaining vital signs on a post-op client is a standard, procedural skill that does not require independent assessment as long as the client is stable and the RN is available to interpret abnormalities. By contrast, post-surgical assessment (e.g., after cataract surgery) and a full physical assessment for new abdominal pain require RN-level assessment and clinical decision-making. Interpreting and trending serum electrolytes in renal failure also involves higher-level monitoring and judgment about complications and therapy response.

Question 40

The nurse is preparing a patient for a blood transfusion. This nurse plans to infuse the blood through the patient's peripherally inserted central catheter. Which of the following tasks can the registered nurse delegate to a LPN?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Vital signs monitoring during a transfusion is a standardized task that supports early detection of transfusion reactions, and the LPN can obtain and promptly report abnormalities to the RN. Initiating or managing blood administration (including verification and starting/hanging blood) is typically an RN responsibility due to the need for higher-level assessment and immediate intervention if a reaction occurs. IV push diuretics for prophylaxis involves medication administration and clinical judgment about fluid status and risks, which is generally not delegated in this context.

Question 41

When delegating a task to an LPN, the RN should assess for all of the following “rights” of delegation except for which?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The incorrect (EXCEPT) choice is the one that is not part of this recognized delegation safety checklist. Documentation is an important professional responsibility, but it is not one of the standardized rights used to determine whether a task should be delegated and how it should be managed. The other options listed are core components of appropriate delegation assessment and directly relate to patient safety and scope of practice.

Question 42

A nurse is managing the care of several clients on a surgical floor. Which of the following clients should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: LPNs can care for stable clients and perform basic tasks such as feeding. Assessment, IV medication administration, and teaching remain RN responsibilities.

Question 43

In relation to submersion injuries, which task is most appropriate to delegate to an LPN/LVN?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: LPN/LVN can perform basic, non-invasive, routine care tasks for stable patients. Removing wet clothing and providing warmth is appropriate. Tasks requiring assessment, education, or critical intervention must be performed by an RN.

Question 44

A nurse caring for four patients is busy and requests assistance from unlicensed assistive personnel. What action is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Capillary blood glucose testing is commonly within UAP scope in many facilities after competency validation, and ordering a meal tray is an appropriate supportive task. In contrast, adjusting therapy based on heparin monitoring requires nursing judgment, and initiating IV fluids is an IV therapy task generally restricted to licensed staff. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is invasive and carries infection risk and assessment needs, so it should not be delegated to UAP in typical NCLEX scope assumptions.

Question 45

Nurse Jones is preparing to take his lunch and is reporting off to Nurse Matthews to cover his patients. Which task should not be delegated to Nurse Matthews?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Post-nebulizer breath-sound reassessment is needed to determine response to therapy and identify deterioration (e.g., persistent wheeze, diminished air movement, worsening work of breathing) requiring escalation. In contrast, medication administration and routine specimen collection/rounding may be appropriate to delegate depending on staff role and facility policy because they follow established parameters and do not require interpretive reassessment. The key distinction is that this task directly involves clinical evaluation and potential care-plan modification.

Question 46

A 5-day old is seen at the pediatric clinic for hyperbilirubinemia. The patient is sent to the local hospital and the nurse is admitting the baby. Which task should the nurse delegate to the unit aide?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Gathering and setting up standard equipment for a prescribed therapy is within UAP scope when the RN remains responsible for assessment and ensuring correct use. Venipuncture and interpreting/acting on bilirubin results require skill and nursing/clinical judgment and should not be delegated to an aide. Bathing/undressing may be within UAP scope, but is not the priority compared with promptly preparing the environment for ordered phototherapy and safety protection (eye shielding).

Question 47

When an unexpected death occurs in the emergency department, which task is the most appropriate to delegate to a nursing assistant?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Postmortem care is a predictable, procedure-based activity that nursing assistants are commonly trained to perform under the nurse’s direction, while the RN retains responsibility for confirming death, documentation, and any required legal steps. In contrast, coordinating organ donation discussions involves complex legal/ethical considerations and interdisciplinary communication that require RN leadership. Escorting and supporting a grieving family in an unexpected death can require ongoing assessment and therapeutic communication best managed by the RN, whereas assisting with the body’s care is safely delegated.

Question 48

The registered nurse is preparing to delegate clinical assignments for a psychiatric unit. Which of the following assignments should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Reviewing and tracking ordered lab results is a data-gathering task that typically does not require independent nursing judgment or creation of a care plan. In contrast, developing a plan of care and obtaining a detailed psychosocial history are components of comprehensive assessment and nursing process that require RN-level critical thinking. Therapeutic communication aimed at exploring personal feelings is also higher-level psychosocial intervention that is generally retained by the RN in psychiatric settings.

Question 49

A patient admitted for hypertensive crisis is telling the nurse and aide about her son’s wedding when she suddenly has trouble speaking. The nurse senses the patient knows what she wants to say but cannot verbalize it. The patient makes an attempt, but clear words cannot be determined. The nurse instructs the aide to?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Bedside capillary glucose is the fastest high-yield check because hypoglycemia can cause sudden aphasia-like symptoms and must be treated immediately to prevent permanent injury. This task is appropriate to delegate to an aide/UAP because it is a routine, non-invasive measurement that does not require nursing judgment to perform. A focused neurologic assessment and contacting the provider are RN responsibilities after initial rapid safety checks and data collection are obtained.

Question 50

A nurse is planning to delegate tasks to a nursing assistant. Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Feeding support is a standard ADL that can be performed with established care directions, with the nurse remaining responsible for overall outcomes and follow-up. Lung sound assessment and post-op complication monitoring require ongoing assessment and clinical interpretation, which must be performed by a licensed nurse. Medication administration typically requires licensure and assessment of patient response and safety checks, so it should not be assigned to a nursing assistant.

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The nursing team consists of one RN (registered nurse), one LPN (Licensed practical nurse), and one nursing assistant. What is the most appropriate assignment for the RN to delegate to the LPN?

Which is the best instructional guidance for the nurse-manager to include for the staff nurses when delegating the responsibility to revise the unit’s educational policies?

The registered nurse (RN), an LPN, and a UAP are caring for clients on a neurological unit. Which task would be most appropriate for the nurse to assign/delegate?

A registered nurse is in charge of eight clients. The nurse has a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and a client care assistant working under her. Which activity should the nurse assign to herself rather than delegate to the staff?

The nurse is caring for clients on a telemetry floor. Which nursing task would be most appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Which is proper delegation of a task from the registered nurse to the nursing assistant?

A registered nurse (RN) is supervising an unlicensed care provider. Which principle would the nurse follow when delegating tasks?

While caring for multiple clients, the nurse delegates client skin care to the UAP on a musculoskeletal unit. Which client is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate skin care to the UAP?

The nurse is caring for a group of clients on a hospital unit with the assistance of the LPN. Which aspect of client care would be most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the LPN?

The hospitalized client with heart failure is receiving dobutamine intravenously. Of the associated responsibilities in the care of the client, which statement is most appropriate for the RN when delegating to the experienced NA?

The nurse is caring for the client with an STI who is immobile. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to the UAP?

The nurse and the UAP are caring for clients on a medical surgical unit. Which task would be most appropriate to assign to the UAP?

The nurse is caring for clients on a rehabilitation unit. Which nursing task would be most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

The nurse must use critical thinking skills and good judgment to appropriately delegate responsibility for portions of client care to other members of the health care team. What are the “five rights” of client care delegation?

A physician ordered a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity stat. Which approach is best for a nurse to use in delegating this task?

Delegation of responsibility between members of the multidisciplinary health care team is essential to provide quality and timely client care. Which statement best describes delegation?

Delegation of responsibility for selected client care tasks is performed by nurses and members of the multidisciplinary health care team to manage time effectively and promote quality client care. What is the correct definition of delegation, as defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA)?

The nurse and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are caring for assigned clients. It would be most appropriate for the nurse to assign UAP to?

Which of the following should the RN not delegate to a UAP?

The charge nurse is supervising a registered nurse (RN) in the care of a client with hypertension. The charge nurse should intervene if the RN asks the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to?

The registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) are caring for a client with an infected leg ulcer. Which task should the RN delegate to the LPN/VN?

A nurse educates a nurse graduate about the responsibility for delegated tasks. Which statement by the graduate nurse requires additional teaching?

The registered nurse is planning clinical assignments for a geriatric nursing unit. Which of the following assignments should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse?

The nurse and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are caring for assigned clients. Which of the following tasks would be appropriate for the nurse to assign to UAP?

The RN is leading a team of an NA and an LPN in the care of a group of clients. Which tasks should the nurse assign to the NA and LPN?

The LPN is working under the supervision of the experienced RN. The charge nurse should assign which client to the LPN?

The nurse is working with the UAP on a telemetry unit caring for the client who had an MI three days ago. Which task is appropriate to delegate to the UAP?

The nurse is assigning tasks to the UAR. Which task best demonstrates proper delegation?

The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which client task should the nurse delegate to the UAP?

A licensed practical nurse is planning the client assignments for the day. Which of the following is the most appropriate assignment for the nursing assistant?

A unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) has been delegated to assist with an enema for a client. Which of the following statements made by the UAP indicates an understanding of the procedure?

The nurse is reviewing leadership and management concepts with a student nurse. Which of the following statements by the student nurse would require follow-up?

A nurse is managing the care of several clients on a surgical floor. Which task can the nurse delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

You are the leader of a health care team that includes a licensed practical/vocational nurse, a nursing assistant, a nursing student, and yourself. To whom is it appropriate to assign complete client care?

Which of the following clients would be best to delegate to the lpn?

The registered nurse is planning clinical assignments for a geriatric nursing unit. Which of the following assignments should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse?

The nurse is preparing a patient for a blood transfusion. This nurse plans to infuse the blood through the patient's peripherally inserted central catheter. Which of the following tasks can the registered nurse delegate to a LPN?

When delegating a task to an LPN, the RN should assess for all of the following “rights” of delegation except for which?

A nurse is managing the care of several clients on a surgical floor. Which of the following clients should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

In relation to submersion injuries, which task is most appropriate to delegate to an LPN/LVN?

A nurse caring for four patients is busy and requests assistance from unlicensed assistive personnel. What action is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?

Nurse Jones is preparing to take his lunch and is reporting off to Nurse Matthews to cover his patients. Which task should not be delegated to Nurse Matthews?

A 5-day old is seen at the pediatric clinic for hyperbilirubinemia. The patient is sent to the local hospital and the nurse is admitting the baby. Which task should the nurse delegate to the unit aide?

When an unexpected death occurs in the emergency department, which task is the most appropriate to delegate to a nursing assistant?

The registered nurse is preparing to delegate clinical assignments for a psychiatric unit. Which of the following assignments should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical nurse?

A nurse is planning to delegate tasks to a nursing assistant. Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?

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