Delegation (Nursing)
Delegation in nursing is the process of transferring responsibility for performing a specific nursing task to another qualified individual (such as a CNA or UAP) while retaining accountability for the outcome. The five rights of delegation guide safe delegation decisions.
Exam Tip
Five Rights of Delegation: Right Task, Right Circumstance, Right Person, Right Direction, Right Supervision. The delegator is ALWAYS accountable. Never delegate assessment, teaching, or evaluation. LPNs can delegate to CNAs/UAPs only.
What Is Delegation in Nursing?
Delegation is a critical nursing skill where a licensed nurse assigns a task to another team member who is competent to perform it. The nurse who delegates retains accountability for the patient outcome, even though the task is performed by someone else.
The Five Rights of Delegation
| Right | Question to Ask |
|---|---|
| Right Task | Is this task appropriate to delegate? (Routine, standard procedure, not requiring nursing judgment) |
| Right Circumstance | Is the patient stable? Are there factors that make delegation unsafe? |
| Right Person | Is the delegatee competent and legally allowed to perform this task? |
| Right Direction/Communication | Have I given clear, specific instructions including what to report? |
| Right Supervision/Evaluation | Am I available to supervise and evaluate the outcome? |
What LPNs CAN and CANNOT Delegate
| CAN Delegate to CNAs/UAPs | CANNOT Delegate |
|---|---|
| Vital signs on stable patients | Nursing assessment or evaluation |
| ADL assistance (bathing, feeding, grooming) | Medication administration |
| Ambulation of stable patients | Sterile procedures |
| Intake and output measurement | Patient teaching (initial) |
| Specimen collection (routine) | Care plan development |
| Bed making and room preparation | Unstable patient monitoring |
Delegation vs. Assignment
| Delegation | Assignment |
|---|---|
| Transferring a specific task | Distributing work among equally qualified staff |
| From higher-licensed to lower-licensed | Among same-level staff |
| Delegator retains accountability | Each person accountable for their assignment |
Key Delegation Principles
- The delegator is ALWAYS accountable for the outcome
- Never delegate assessment, planning, evaluation, or tasks requiring nursing judgment
- Consider the patient's condition: stable patients = safer to delegate
- Verify the delegatee's competency before delegating
- Provide clear instructions including when to report back
- Follow up and evaluate the outcome
Exam Alert
Delegation is heavily tested in the Coordinated Care category (18-24% of NCLEX-PN). Use the Five Rights of Delegation for every delegation question. LPNs can delegate to CNAs/UAPs but cannot delegate assessment, teaching, or evaluation. The person who delegates is ALWAYS accountable.
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Related Terms
Scope of Practice (Nursing)
Scope of practice defines the legal boundaries of what a healthcare professional is authorized to do based on their education, licensure, and state Nurse Practice Act. For LPNs/LVNs, the scope includes basic nursing care, data collection, medication administration, and care plan implementation under RN or physician supervision.
Care Plan (Nursing)
A nursing care plan is a written document that outlines a patient's identified health problems, measurable goals, and specific nursing interventions. It is developed by the RN based on nursing assessment data and guides the entire nursing team in providing consistent, individualized care.
Nursing Process
The nursing process is a systematic, five-step problem-solving framework used by nurses to provide patient-centered care: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE). It is the foundation of all nursing practice and the organizing framework for the NCLEX.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), called a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California and Texas, is a healthcare professional who has completed a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12-18 months) and passed the NCLEX-PN exam. LPNs provide basic nursing care under the supervision of an RN or physician.
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