NCLEX RN Delegation Practice Exam
100 Questions plus Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026
Q1. The nurse is assigning tasks to a nursing assistant (UAP). Which task is most
appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a newly admitted client
B. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client
D. Evaluating a client's response to pain medication
Answer: C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client
Rationale: UAPs can perform routine, predictable tasks such as obtaining vital
signs on stable clients. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require RN-level
judgment.
Q2. Which client should the RN care for personally rather than delegate to a
UAP?
A. Client who needs assistance with bathing
B. Client requiring routine intake and output measurement
C. Client with a new onset of chest pain
D. Client who needs assistance ambulating
Answer: C. Client with a new onset of chest pain
Rationale: A client with a new, potentially unstable symptom requires
assessment and clinical judgment by the RN.
Q3. Which task can the RN delegate to an experienced licensed
practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
,A. Developing the initial nursing care plan
B. Performing the initial assessment of a newly admitted client
C. Administering oral medications to a stable client
D. Providing initial discharge teaching for a newly diagnosed condition Answer:
C. Administering oral medications to a stable client
Rationale: Depending on state law and facility policy, LPN/LVNs may
administer medications and provide care to stable clients. Initial assessment,
care planning, and comprehensive teaching remain RN responsibilities.
Q4. The RN delegates ambulation of a postoperative client to a UAP. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. "Ambulate the client as tolerated."
B. "Walk the client whenever you have time."
C. "Report dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain
immediately."
D. "Decide whether the client needs a walker."
Answer: C. "Report dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain
immediately."
Rationale: Delegation requires clear instructions and specific parameters for
reporting unexpected findings.
Q5. Which task should the RN NOT delegate to a UAP?
A. Feeding a client with no swallowing difficulties
B. Making an occupied bed
C. Measuring urine output
D. Assessing a pressure injury
Answer: D. Assessing a pressure injury
Rationale: Assessment requires nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to
a UAP.
,Q6. The RN is caring for four clients. Which client is most appropriate to assign
to the LPN/LVN?
A. Client requiring initial assessment for possible sepsis
B. Client receiving a stable medication regimen for hypertension
C. Client newly admitted with acute respiratory distress
D. Client requiring development of a complex discharge plan
Answer: B. Client receiving a stable medication regimen for hypertension
Rationale: LPN/LVNs are generally appropriate for clients with predictable
conditions who require routine nursing care.
Q7. Which statement by an RN demonstrates appropriate delegation?
A. "Take care of room 212."
B. "Check the client and let me know if anything is wrong."
C. "Measure the urine output in room 212 from 0800 to 1200 and report if it is
less than 30 mL/hr."
D. "Do whatever the client asks."
Answer: C. "Measure the urine output in room 212 from 0800 to 1200 and
report if it is less than 30 mL/hr."
Rationale: Effective delegation specifies the task, client, time frame, expected
findings, and reporting parameters.
Q8. Which principle is most important when delegating a nursing task?
A. Delegate tasks only to the most experienced staff member.
B. Match the task with the delegatee's competency and scope of practice.
C. Delegate all routine tasks to UAPs.
D. Allow the delegatee to determine whether the task is appropriate.
Answer: B. Match the task with the delegatee's competency and scope of
practice.
Rationale: Safe delegation requires consideration of the task, client's
condition, delegatee's competence, scope of practice, and organizational
policy.
, Q9. A UAP reports that a client became short of breath while ambulating. What
should the RN do first?
A. Document the event.
B. Ask the UAP to continue ambulation.
C. Assess the client.
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Answer: C. Assess the client.
Rationale: The RN must assess the client's condition before determining
further interventions or notification.
Q10. Which task is appropriate for the RN to delegate to a UAP?
A. Determining whether a client is ready for discharge
B. Teaching postoperative coughing exercises
C. Assisting a stable client with feeding
D. Assessing bowel sounds
Answer: C. Assisting a stable client with feeding
Rationale: Feeding a stable client is a routine activity that can be delegated
when there are no swallowing or aspiration concerns.
Q11. Which task is generally appropriate for an LPN/LVN?
A. Initial assessment of a client with newly diagnosed heart failure
B. Administering routine medications to a stable client
C. Formulating nursing diagnoses
D. Developing the initial nursing care plan
Answer: B. Administering routine medications to a stable client
Rationale: Medication administration for stable clients is commonly within
LPN/LVN scope, subject to jurisdictional and facility requirements.
Q12. The RN delegates a task but remains responsible for which activity?
100 Questions plus Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026
Q1. The nurse is assigning tasks to a nursing assistant (UAP). Which task is most
appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a newly admitted client
B. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client
D. Evaluating a client's response to pain medication
Answer: C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client
Rationale: UAPs can perform routine, predictable tasks such as obtaining vital
signs on stable clients. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require RN-level
judgment.
Q2. Which client should the RN care for personally rather than delegate to a
UAP?
A. Client who needs assistance with bathing
B. Client requiring routine intake and output measurement
C. Client with a new onset of chest pain
D. Client who needs assistance ambulating
Answer: C. Client with a new onset of chest pain
Rationale: A client with a new, potentially unstable symptom requires
assessment and clinical judgment by the RN.
Q3. Which task can the RN delegate to an experienced licensed
practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
,A. Developing the initial nursing care plan
B. Performing the initial assessment of a newly admitted client
C. Administering oral medications to a stable client
D. Providing initial discharge teaching for a newly diagnosed condition Answer:
C. Administering oral medications to a stable client
Rationale: Depending on state law and facility policy, LPN/LVNs may
administer medications and provide care to stable clients. Initial assessment,
care planning, and comprehensive teaching remain RN responsibilities.
Q4. The RN delegates ambulation of a postoperative client to a UAP. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. "Ambulate the client as tolerated."
B. "Walk the client whenever you have time."
C. "Report dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain
immediately."
D. "Decide whether the client needs a walker."
Answer: C. "Report dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain
immediately."
Rationale: Delegation requires clear instructions and specific parameters for
reporting unexpected findings.
Q5. Which task should the RN NOT delegate to a UAP?
A. Feeding a client with no swallowing difficulties
B. Making an occupied bed
C. Measuring urine output
D. Assessing a pressure injury
Answer: D. Assessing a pressure injury
Rationale: Assessment requires nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to
a UAP.
,Q6. The RN is caring for four clients. Which client is most appropriate to assign
to the LPN/LVN?
A. Client requiring initial assessment for possible sepsis
B. Client receiving a stable medication regimen for hypertension
C. Client newly admitted with acute respiratory distress
D. Client requiring development of a complex discharge plan
Answer: B. Client receiving a stable medication regimen for hypertension
Rationale: LPN/LVNs are generally appropriate for clients with predictable
conditions who require routine nursing care.
Q7. Which statement by an RN demonstrates appropriate delegation?
A. "Take care of room 212."
B. "Check the client and let me know if anything is wrong."
C. "Measure the urine output in room 212 from 0800 to 1200 and report if it is
less than 30 mL/hr."
D. "Do whatever the client asks."
Answer: C. "Measure the urine output in room 212 from 0800 to 1200 and
report if it is less than 30 mL/hr."
Rationale: Effective delegation specifies the task, client, time frame, expected
findings, and reporting parameters.
Q8. Which principle is most important when delegating a nursing task?
A. Delegate tasks only to the most experienced staff member.
B. Match the task with the delegatee's competency and scope of practice.
C. Delegate all routine tasks to UAPs.
D. Allow the delegatee to determine whether the task is appropriate.
Answer: B. Match the task with the delegatee's competency and scope of
practice.
Rationale: Safe delegation requires consideration of the task, client's
condition, delegatee's competence, scope of practice, and organizational
policy.
, Q9. A UAP reports that a client became short of breath while ambulating. What
should the RN do first?
A. Document the event.
B. Ask the UAP to continue ambulation.
C. Assess the client.
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Answer: C. Assess the client.
Rationale: The RN must assess the client's condition before determining
further interventions or notification.
Q10. Which task is appropriate for the RN to delegate to a UAP?
A. Determining whether a client is ready for discharge
B. Teaching postoperative coughing exercises
C. Assisting a stable client with feeding
D. Assessing bowel sounds
Answer: C. Assisting a stable client with feeding
Rationale: Feeding a stable client is a routine activity that can be delegated
when there are no swallowing or aspiration concerns.
Q11. Which task is generally appropriate for an LPN/LVN?
A. Initial assessment of a client with newly diagnosed heart failure
B. Administering routine medications to a stable client
C. Formulating nursing diagnoses
D. Developing the initial nursing care plan
Answer: B. Administering routine medications to a stable client
Rationale: Medication administration for stable clients is commonly within
LPN/LVN scope, subject to jurisdictional and facility requirements.
Q12. The RN delegates a task but remains responsible for which activity?
