2 Delegation and Nursing Accountability Free Online FlashCards

What is nursing delegation?

Delegation authorizes a qualified person to perform a specific activity. The licensed nurse retains accountability for the delegation decision and the patient’s overall care.

How does an assignment differ from delegation?

An assignment distributes work already within a team member’s authorized role and scope. Delegation authorizes a specific activity while the nurse retains accountability for overall care.

What determines a person’s scope of practice?

Scope depends on applicable laws and regulations, the person’s licensure, education and demonstrated competence, and employer policy. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and setting.

Which activities must a nurse retain rather than delegate?

A nurse must not delegate an activity that requires nursing assessment, clinical reasoning, judgment, or critical decision-making.

What is the right task in the Five Rights of Delegation?

The task must be legally permitted, allowed by workplace policy, and appropriate to delegate.

When should a nurse avoid delegating an activity?

Prioritize by urgency, acuity, deterioration risk, and time sensitivity. Retain the activity or seek assistance if the patient is unstable, the task is unfamiliar or complex, or safe supervision is unavailable.

What responsibilities does a delegatee have after accepting a task?

The delegatee must accept only work they are competent and authorized to perform, follow directions, report concerns promptly, and not pass the delegated task to someone else.

How is accountability divided between the nurse and delegatee?

The nurse remains accountable for the delegation decision, appropriate supervision, and overall nursing care. The delegatee is responsible for carrying out the accepted activity safely and accurately.

Is a licensed-nurse handoff delegation?

A handoff between licensed nurses is a transfer of care, not delegation.

What makes the circumstance right for delegation?

The patient’s condition and situation must be sufficiently stable and predictable, with suitable resources available. Reassess if the condition changes.

What must the nurse confirm about the right person?

The delegatee must have the necessary training, competence, and time to perform the activity safely.

What do right directions and communication require?

Give clear, patient-specific instructions about what to do, when to do it, what to report, and how to document. Confirm understanding and acceptance.