If the nurse needs to delegate a task in order to work on another nursing responsibility, which characteristic must be present? Select all that apply

Question

1. Authority by the delegator to assign the task to the delegate
2. Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegator
3. Responsibility for task completion on the part of the delegate
4. Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegate
5. Authority of the delegate to accomplish the task as assigned

Answer 1

Answer: 1; 2; 3; 5
Rationale:
• Authority by the delegator to assign the task to the delegate: The delegator is the individual requesting the task completion of the delegate. Thus the delegator must have authority to make the request.
• Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegator: The delegator has ultimate accountability for appropriate task completion and for effectively delegating appropriate tasks to others.
• Responsibility for task completion on the part of the delegate: Once the task is assigned to the delegate, he has responsibility for effective and appropriate task completion.
• Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegate: While the delegate does have accountability for completion of the task, the ultimate accountability for the end product of the task completion is on the part of the delegator, not the delegate.
• Authority of the delegate to accomplish the task as assigned: Effective delegators transfer authority to the delegate to empower the delegate for success.