A nurse has delegated some tasks to the unlicensed nursing assistant. At the end of the shift, the nurse discovers that most of the tasks have not been done. Which action by the nurse would be best?
a. Devise a plan ensuring delegated tasks are completed and evaluated.
b. Remind the assistant that he or she carries the responsibility for these tasks.
c. Report the situation to the manager and request an assignment change.
d. Stop delegating and perform all the nursing actions him- or herself.
A
When delegating a task, the nurse must ensure that the task is completed and provide feedback, or an evaluation, afterward. This nurse should plan some way to remember to check that delegated tasks have been completed and evaluated, because the nurse remains ultimately responsible for the task.
The nurse (not the assistant) retains the legal responsibility for the tasks that are delegated.
Perhaps the nurse should report the situation to the manager, but doing so and requesting an assignment change do not provide the nurse an opportunity to use delegation appropriately.
Most nurses are very busy and need to delegate. This also does not get to the core of the question, which is that nurses retain responsibility for delegated tasks.
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