Cherry & Jacob 7e: Chapter 20
1. The task of completing and signing the initial assessment on a newly admitted patient who is
about to undergo minimally invasive procedures on an outpatient basis can be delegated to:
a. the registered nurse (RN).
b. the licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN).
c. unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
d. all levels of staff, because the information is about the past and cannot change. - ANS ANS:
A
Only the RN can perform and sign the admission assessment, although some components such
as monitoring vital signs may be delegated.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 357
2. An RN recently relocated to another region of the country and immediately assumed the role
of charge nurse. When determining the appropriate person to whom to delegate, the RN knows
that:
a. the role of the LPN/LVN is the same from state to state.
b. the LPN/LVN can be taught to perform all the duties of an RN if approved by the employer
and if additional on-the-job training is provided.
c. he or she must review the state's nurse practice act for LPN/LVNs, because each state
defines the role and scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
d. The Joint Commission has certified and established roles for the LPN/LVN. - ANS ANS: C
The scope of practice of the LPN/LVN varies significantly from state to state; RNs should know
the LPN/LVN nurse practice act in the state in which they practice and should understand the
legal scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 354
3. Which task is most likely to be considered in a state's practice act as appropriate to delegate
to a LPN/LVN if the patient's condition is stable and competence in the task has been
established?
a. Administer an enema for an elective surgery patient.
b. Administer an antiarrhythmic medication IV while interpreting the patient's rhythm on the
cardiac monitor.
c. Develop a plan of care for a stable patient admitted for observation after a head injury.
d. Teach a patient how to instill eye drops for glaucoma. - ANS ANS: A
The RN who is delegating must consider the following: (1) the delegatee's current workload and
the complexity of the task, (2) whether the staff member is familiar with the patient population
and with the task to be performed, and (3) whether the RN is able to provide the appropriate
, level of supervision. The delegation decision-making tree would also support delegation of this
task.
DIF: Analysis REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
4. A patient is admitted with hypotension, shortness of breath, flushing, and hives. All levels of
staff have been trained to assess vital signs. Given budget restrictions and proper delegation
rules, to which care provider would the RN delegate the task of obtaining the initial blood
pressure reading?
a. RN
b. LPN/LVN
c. Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)
d. Use the blood pressure obtained in the ambulance, because it was assessed via electronic
monitoring. - ANS ANS: A
The patient's condition is not stable; therefore, the skills of an RN are required.
DIF: Application REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
5. A nurse is delegating to the newly hired nursing unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the
task of assisting with oral hygiene, knowing that this assignment "does not require decisions
based on the nursing process." The nurse is correctly using which of the five rights of
delegation?
a. Supervision
b. Communication
c. Person
d. Circumstance - ANS ANS: D
Right circumstance involves the delegation of tasks that do not require independent nursing
judgments.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 360
6. A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals employ
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to the National
Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is to:
a. supplement the staffing pattern when an RN is not available.
b. aid the RN by performing appropriately delegated care tasks.
c. replace the RN when the health care facility provides long-term care.
d. provide patient teaching, allowing more direct care to be provided by the RN. - ANS ANS: B
The UAP and LPN/LVN can increase productivity of the RN by performing those tasks that fall
within their scope of practice.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 353
1. The task of completing and signing the initial assessment on a newly admitted patient who is
about to undergo minimally invasive procedures on an outpatient basis can be delegated to:
a. the registered nurse (RN).
b. the licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN).
c. unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
d. all levels of staff, because the information is about the past and cannot change. - ANS ANS:
A
Only the RN can perform and sign the admission assessment, although some components such
as monitoring vital signs may be delegated.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 357
2. An RN recently relocated to another region of the country and immediately assumed the role
of charge nurse. When determining the appropriate person to whom to delegate, the RN knows
that:
a. the role of the LPN/LVN is the same from state to state.
b. the LPN/LVN can be taught to perform all the duties of an RN if approved by the employer
and if additional on-the-job training is provided.
c. he or she must review the state's nurse practice act for LPN/LVNs, because each state
defines the role and scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
d. The Joint Commission has certified and established roles for the LPN/LVN. - ANS ANS: C
The scope of practice of the LPN/LVN varies significantly from state to state; RNs should know
the LPN/LVN nurse practice act in the state in which they practice and should understand the
legal scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 354
3. Which task is most likely to be considered in a state's practice act as appropriate to delegate
to a LPN/LVN if the patient's condition is stable and competence in the task has been
established?
a. Administer an enema for an elective surgery patient.
b. Administer an antiarrhythmic medication IV while interpreting the patient's rhythm on the
cardiac monitor.
c. Develop a plan of care for a stable patient admitted for observation after a head injury.
d. Teach a patient how to instill eye drops for glaucoma. - ANS ANS: A
The RN who is delegating must consider the following: (1) the delegatee's current workload and
the complexity of the task, (2) whether the staff member is familiar with the patient population
and with the task to be performed, and (3) whether the RN is able to provide the appropriate
, level of supervision. The delegation decision-making tree would also support delegation of this
task.
DIF: Analysis REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
4. A patient is admitted with hypotension, shortness of breath, flushing, and hives. All levels of
staff have been trained to assess vital signs. Given budget restrictions and proper delegation
rules, to which care provider would the RN delegate the task of obtaining the initial blood
pressure reading?
a. RN
b. LPN/LVN
c. Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)
d. Use the blood pressure obtained in the ambulance, because it was assessed via electronic
monitoring. - ANS ANS: A
The patient's condition is not stable; therefore, the skills of an RN are required.
DIF: Application REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
5. A nurse is delegating to the newly hired nursing unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the
task of assisting with oral hygiene, knowing that this assignment "does not require decisions
based on the nursing process." The nurse is correctly using which of the five rights of
delegation?
a. Supervision
b. Communication
c. Person
d. Circumstance - ANS ANS: D
Right circumstance involves the delegation of tasks that do not require independent nursing
judgments.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 360
6. A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals employ
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to the National
Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is to:
a. supplement the staffing pattern when an RN is not available.
b. aid the RN by performing appropriately delegated care tasks.
c. replace the RN when the health care facility provides long-term care.
d. provide patient teaching, allowing more direct care to be provided by the RN. - ANS ANS: B
The UAP and LPN/LVN can increase productivity of the RN by performing those tasks that fall
within their scope of practice.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 353
