NURS 3710 EXAM 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Definition of delegation - ANSWER Process of transfering to a competent person the
authority to perform a selected nursing task or activity in a selected patient care
situation.
-this process of transferring responsibility for the performance of an activity or task
while retaining the accountability for the outcome.
effective delegation skills - ANSWER -understand the nurse practice acts of their states.
(each state has their own nursing board, Louisiana has an LPN board as well as the
Louisiana state board of nurses, LSVN will have the practice act available online)
-understand the delegation standard related to individual job descriptions. (different
agencies might have different job descriptions- make sure description lines up with
state board of nursing)
-understand the policies of healthcare facility (different healthcare facilities could have
different policies)
-function within their state's regulatory guidelines.
According to the louisiana state board of nursing: - ANSWER The registered nurse may
delegate to liscensed practical nurses the major part of the nursing care needed by
individuals in stable nursing situations, i.e., when the following three conditions prevail
at the same time in a given situation:
-nursing care ordered and directed by R.N/M.D requires abilities based on a relatively
fixed and limited body of scientific fact and can be performed by following a defined
nursing procedure with minimal alteration, and responses of the individual to the
nursing care are predictable. (order does not require many added things, very straight
forward and can be done with minimal change).
-Change in the patient's clinical conditions is predictable.
-medical and nursing orders are not subject to continuous change or complex
modification.
,(if a patient is on a higher acquity level, patient is not considered stable. if a patient is
stable, the patient can be assigned to an LPN)
LSBN: RN may NOT delegate: - ANSWER In complex (unstable) situations, the registered
nurse may utilize the expertise of the liscensed practical nurse by delegating selected
tasks. the registered nurse may not delegate the following nursing functions relative to
intravenous medications and fluids:
•administration of investigational drugs;
•administration of cancer therapeutic drugs;
•administration of medications by IV push, other than those defined by health agency
protocol for emergency situations;
•administration of blood and blood products;
•administration of total parenteral nutrition solutions;
•accessing the implanted device (mediport, central line, PICC line)
The 5 rights of delegation: right task - ANSWER 1. right task
•The RN delegates only those tasks for which she or he believes the other health care
worker has the knowledge and skill to perform, taking into consideration training,
cultural competence, experience and facility/agency policies and procedures.
•Requires little supervision, repetitive, relatively noninvasive.
Registered nurse MUST complete: - ANSWER Nursing process:
-initial assessment of patient; and every 24 hours. (physical head-to-toe assessment,
determine acuity of patient)
-initiate the care plan, revise or change.
-teaching of complex or initial teaching. (like teaching prior to surgeries and post-op
care)
Liscensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can: - ANSWER •Complete an ongoing assessment
•Reinforcement of client teaching from a standard care plan
•Administer tube feeding
, •Maintain a NG tube for patency
•Inserting a urinary catheter
•Administer medication except IV push medications and chemotherapy
•Cannot maintain central lines or implanted devices (i.e. mediports, Hickman etc)
•Perform wound care
unlicensed personnel can: - ANSWER •Activities of daily living (bathing, grooming,
dressing, toileting, feeding (without swallowing precautions), positioning
•bed making
•intake and output
•vital signs for stable clients
•Transfer stable patient
The five rights of delegation: 2. right circumstance - ANSWER •Consider the patient
setting, available resources, and other relevant factors. Use good clinical decision
making. If the patient is unsafe or unstable delegation may not be appropriate
•Consider the patients health status and complexity of care along with the workload of
the PN or AP.
•Right circumstance: delegate the AP to measure vital signs of a stable postoperative
client.
•Wrong circumstance: delegate to the AP to measure vital signs of an unstable client
with decreased respirations related to Morphine respiratory depression
The five rights of delegation: 3. right person - ANSWER •Choose the right competent
individual to complete task
•Must be in their job description with necessary training
•Right person: delegate to a PN to administer tube feedings to a client with a history of
head injury.
•Wrong person: delegate to an AP to administer tube feedings to a client with a history of
head injury.
CORRECT ANSWERS
Definition of delegation - ANSWER Process of transfering to a competent person the
authority to perform a selected nursing task or activity in a selected patient care
situation.
-this process of transferring responsibility for the performance of an activity or task
while retaining the accountability for the outcome.
effective delegation skills - ANSWER -understand the nurse practice acts of their states.
(each state has their own nursing board, Louisiana has an LPN board as well as the
Louisiana state board of nurses, LSVN will have the practice act available online)
-understand the delegation standard related to individual job descriptions. (different
agencies might have different job descriptions- make sure description lines up with
state board of nursing)
-understand the policies of healthcare facility (different healthcare facilities could have
different policies)
-function within their state's regulatory guidelines.
According to the louisiana state board of nursing: - ANSWER The registered nurse may
delegate to liscensed practical nurses the major part of the nursing care needed by
individuals in stable nursing situations, i.e., when the following three conditions prevail
at the same time in a given situation:
-nursing care ordered and directed by R.N/M.D requires abilities based on a relatively
fixed and limited body of scientific fact and can be performed by following a defined
nursing procedure with minimal alteration, and responses of the individual to the
nursing care are predictable. (order does not require many added things, very straight
forward and can be done with minimal change).
-Change in the patient's clinical conditions is predictable.
-medical and nursing orders are not subject to continuous change or complex
modification.
,(if a patient is on a higher acquity level, patient is not considered stable. if a patient is
stable, the patient can be assigned to an LPN)
LSBN: RN may NOT delegate: - ANSWER In complex (unstable) situations, the registered
nurse may utilize the expertise of the liscensed practical nurse by delegating selected
tasks. the registered nurse may not delegate the following nursing functions relative to
intravenous medications and fluids:
•administration of investigational drugs;
•administration of cancer therapeutic drugs;
•administration of medications by IV push, other than those defined by health agency
protocol for emergency situations;
•administration of blood and blood products;
•administration of total parenteral nutrition solutions;
•accessing the implanted device (mediport, central line, PICC line)
The 5 rights of delegation: right task - ANSWER 1. right task
•The RN delegates only those tasks for which she or he believes the other health care
worker has the knowledge and skill to perform, taking into consideration training,
cultural competence, experience and facility/agency policies and procedures.
•Requires little supervision, repetitive, relatively noninvasive.
Registered nurse MUST complete: - ANSWER Nursing process:
-initial assessment of patient; and every 24 hours. (physical head-to-toe assessment,
determine acuity of patient)
-initiate the care plan, revise or change.
-teaching of complex or initial teaching. (like teaching prior to surgeries and post-op
care)
Liscensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can: - ANSWER •Complete an ongoing assessment
•Reinforcement of client teaching from a standard care plan
•Administer tube feeding
, •Maintain a NG tube for patency
•Inserting a urinary catheter
•Administer medication except IV push medications and chemotherapy
•Cannot maintain central lines or implanted devices (i.e. mediports, Hickman etc)
•Perform wound care
unlicensed personnel can: - ANSWER •Activities of daily living (bathing, grooming,
dressing, toileting, feeding (without swallowing precautions), positioning
•bed making
•intake and output
•vital signs for stable clients
•Transfer stable patient
The five rights of delegation: 2. right circumstance - ANSWER •Consider the patient
setting, available resources, and other relevant factors. Use good clinical decision
making. If the patient is unsafe or unstable delegation may not be appropriate
•Consider the patients health status and complexity of care along with the workload of
the PN or AP.
•Right circumstance: delegate the AP to measure vital signs of a stable postoperative
client.
•Wrong circumstance: delegate to the AP to measure vital signs of an unstable client
with decreased respirations related to Morphine respiratory depression
The five rights of delegation: 3. right person - ANSWER •Choose the right competent
individual to complete task
•Must be in their job description with necessary training
•Right person: delegate to a PN to administer tube feedings to a client with a history of
head injury.
•Wrong person: delegate to an AP to administer tube feedings to a client with a history of
head injury.
