Which statement represents a situation is which delegation is ineffective or inappropriate?

Question

1. The RN asks the LPN to assist with admissions by assessing the clients as they get to their rooms.
2. The RN delegates administration of oral medications for a group of clients to the LPN.
3. The LPN directs the unlicensed assistant to report vital sign changes on a post-operative client to the RN.
4. The nurse manager asks the RN to act as chairperson for today's unit council meeting since the charge nurse went home sick.

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: The RN is the only caregiver legally responsible for assessing clients. Thus, the RN cannot delegate this to the LPN, and this is an example of overdelegation.
Rationale 2: It is within the LPN's scope of practice to administer oral medications.
Rationale 3: The LPN can delegate tasks to the unlicensed assistant. Reporting vital sign changes to the RN is within the scope of an unlicensed assistant.
Rationale 4: The nurse manager can delegate to the RN. An RN is a logical substitute for the charge nurse in this situation.
Global Rationale: