___________________________________________________________________
LPN/LVN Delegation & Supervision
Competency Exam — Code: LPN-DS-
COMP | 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. An LPN is caring for four clients and is asked to delegate a task to an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which factor should the LPN consider
first before delegating the task?
A. Whether the UAP has completed the task previously
B. Whether the task is within the UAP’s legal and organizational scope
C. Whether the client prefers the UAP to perform the task
D. Whether the LPN has enough time to supervise the task
Answer: B. Whether the task is within the UAP’s legal and organizational scope
,Rationale: Delegation must comply with applicable law, organizational policy,
client needs, and the delegatee’s demonstrated competency. The LPN remains
accountable for appropriate delegation and supervision.
2. An LPN delegates routine vital-sign measurement to a UAP for a stable
client. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. “Take the vital signs and document them.”
B. “Take the vital signs and tell me if anything looks unusual.”
C. “Obtain the blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, and oxygen
saturation, and report immediately if the blood pressure is below 90/60 mm Hg,
pulse is below 50/min or above 110/min, respirations are below 10/min or above
24/min, or oxygen saturation is below the ordered target.”
D. “Check the client whenever you have time.”
Answer: C. Obtain the blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, and
oxygen saturation, and report immediately if the blood pressure is below 90/60
mm Hg, pulse is below 50/min or above 110/min, respirations are below 10/min
or above 24/min, or oxygen saturation is below the ordered target.
Rationale: Effective delegation requires clear instructions, expected outcomes,
and specific parameters for reporting abnormal findings.
3. A UAP reports that a client who normally requires assistance with
ambulation is suddenly unable to stand. What should the LPN do first?
A. Tell the UAP to transfer the client using a mechanical lift
B. Ask the UAP to document the change
C. Assess the client personally
D. Reassign the client to another UAP
Answer: C. Assess the client personally
Rationale: A sudden change in functional status requires nursing assessment.
The LPN should not delegate assessment or interpretation of a significant
change in condition.
, 4. Which client is most appropriate for an LPN to assign to a UAP for routine
hygiene care?
A. A client experiencing new-onset confusion
B. A client with unstable blood pressure
C. A stable client requiring assistance with bathing
D. A client receiving a newly initiated medication
Answer: C. A stable client requiring assistance with bathing
Rationale: Routine hygiene for a stable client is predictable and does not require
nursing judgment, making it appropriate for delegation to a competent UAP.
5. An LPN asks a UAP to obtain a client's blood glucose level. The UAP reports
a result of 48 mg/dL. What is the LPN's priority action?
A. Ask the UAP to repeat the test in 30 minutes
B. Assess the client immediately and intervene according to the hypoglycemia
protocol
C. Document the value and continue the medication schedule
D. Ask another UAP to verify the result
Answer: B. Assess the client immediately and intervene according to the
hypoglycemia protocol
Rationale: A critically abnormal finding requires prompt nursing assessment and
intervention. The UAP should report the finding, but the LPN must determine the
appropriate clinical response.
6. Which statement by an LPN demonstrates correct understanding of
accountability after delegation?
A. “The UAP assumes all responsibility once the task is delegated.”
B. “I am accountable for determining whether delegation is appropriate and for
providing required supervision.”
C. “The RN is always accountable for everything the UAP does.”
D. “Delegation eliminates my responsibility for the client.”
, Answer: B. “I am accountable for determining whether delegation is
appropriate and for providing required supervision.”
Rationale: Delegation transfers performance of an appropriate task but does
not eliminate the delegating nurse’s responsibility for appropriate delegation
and supervision.
7. A UAP has never performed a particular procedure but says, “I watched
another person do it several times.” What should the LPN do?
A. Allow the UAP to perform it independently
B. Ask the UAP to perform it if the unit is busy
C. Verify competency before assigning the task
D. Have the client teach the UAP
Answer: C. Verify competency before assigning the task
Rationale: Observation alone does not establish competency. The LPN should
verify that the individual has the education, training, and demonstrated skill
required by policy.
8. Which task is generally inappropriate for an LPN to delegate to a UAP?
A. Assisting a stable client with feeding
B. Measuring intake and output
C. Assessing a newly admitted client's respiratory status
D. Assisting with routine repositioning
Answer: C. Assessing a newly admitted client's respiratory status
Rationale: Assessment requires nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to a
UAP.
9. A UAP tells the LPN, “The client says the pain is 9 out of 10.” What is the
LPN's best response?
A. Tell the UAP to give the prescribed analgesic
B. Ask the UAP to reassess the pain in an hour
LPN/LVN Delegation & Supervision
Competency Exam — Code: LPN-DS-
COMP | 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. An LPN is caring for four clients and is asked to delegate a task to an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which factor should the LPN consider
first before delegating the task?
A. Whether the UAP has completed the task previously
B. Whether the task is within the UAP’s legal and organizational scope
C. Whether the client prefers the UAP to perform the task
D. Whether the LPN has enough time to supervise the task
Answer: B. Whether the task is within the UAP’s legal and organizational scope
,Rationale: Delegation must comply with applicable law, organizational policy,
client needs, and the delegatee’s demonstrated competency. The LPN remains
accountable for appropriate delegation and supervision.
2. An LPN delegates routine vital-sign measurement to a UAP for a stable
client. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. “Take the vital signs and document them.”
B. “Take the vital signs and tell me if anything looks unusual.”
C. “Obtain the blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, and oxygen
saturation, and report immediately if the blood pressure is below 90/60 mm Hg,
pulse is below 50/min or above 110/min, respirations are below 10/min or above
24/min, or oxygen saturation is below the ordered target.”
D. “Check the client whenever you have time.”
Answer: C. Obtain the blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, and
oxygen saturation, and report immediately if the blood pressure is below 90/60
mm Hg, pulse is below 50/min or above 110/min, respirations are below 10/min
or above 24/min, or oxygen saturation is below the ordered target.
Rationale: Effective delegation requires clear instructions, expected outcomes,
and specific parameters for reporting abnormal findings.
3. A UAP reports that a client who normally requires assistance with
ambulation is suddenly unable to stand. What should the LPN do first?
A. Tell the UAP to transfer the client using a mechanical lift
B. Ask the UAP to document the change
C. Assess the client personally
D. Reassign the client to another UAP
Answer: C. Assess the client personally
Rationale: A sudden change in functional status requires nursing assessment.
The LPN should not delegate assessment or interpretation of a significant
change in condition.
, 4. Which client is most appropriate for an LPN to assign to a UAP for routine
hygiene care?
A. A client experiencing new-onset confusion
B. A client with unstable blood pressure
C. A stable client requiring assistance with bathing
D. A client receiving a newly initiated medication
Answer: C. A stable client requiring assistance with bathing
Rationale: Routine hygiene for a stable client is predictable and does not require
nursing judgment, making it appropriate for delegation to a competent UAP.
5. An LPN asks a UAP to obtain a client's blood glucose level. The UAP reports
a result of 48 mg/dL. What is the LPN's priority action?
A. Ask the UAP to repeat the test in 30 minutes
B. Assess the client immediately and intervene according to the hypoglycemia
protocol
C. Document the value and continue the medication schedule
D. Ask another UAP to verify the result
Answer: B. Assess the client immediately and intervene according to the
hypoglycemia protocol
Rationale: A critically abnormal finding requires prompt nursing assessment and
intervention. The UAP should report the finding, but the LPN must determine the
appropriate clinical response.
6. Which statement by an LPN demonstrates correct understanding of
accountability after delegation?
A. “The UAP assumes all responsibility once the task is delegated.”
B. “I am accountable for determining whether delegation is appropriate and for
providing required supervision.”
C. “The RN is always accountable for everything the UAP does.”
D. “Delegation eliminates my responsibility for the client.”
, Answer: B. “I am accountable for determining whether delegation is
appropriate and for providing required supervision.”
Rationale: Delegation transfers performance of an appropriate task but does
not eliminate the delegating nurse’s responsibility for appropriate delegation
and supervision.
7. A UAP has never performed a particular procedure but says, “I watched
another person do it several times.” What should the LPN do?
A. Allow the UAP to perform it independently
B. Ask the UAP to perform it if the unit is busy
C. Verify competency before assigning the task
D. Have the client teach the UAP
Answer: C. Verify competency before assigning the task
Rationale: Observation alone does not establish competency. The LPN should
verify that the individual has the education, training, and demonstrated skill
required by policy.
8. Which task is generally inappropriate for an LPN to delegate to a UAP?
A. Assisting a stable client with feeding
B. Measuring intake and output
C. Assessing a newly admitted client's respiratory status
D. Assisting with routine repositioning
Answer: C. Assessing a newly admitted client's respiratory status
Rationale: Assessment requires nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to a
UAP.
9. A UAP tells the LPN, “The client says the pain is 9 out of 10.” What is the
LPN's best response?
A. Tell the UAP to give the prescribed analgesic
B. Ask the UAP to reassess the pain in an hour
