Upon a patient's admission to the nursing unit, the registered nurse delegated to the nursing assistive personnel to take her vital signs. What is the registered nurse's responsibility regarding delegating this task?

Question

a. This is inappropriate delegation; the nurse should always take the vital signs.
b. Have the NAP repeat the measurement if vital signs appear abnormal.
c. The nurse should review and interpret the vital sign measurements.
d. This task has been delegated so the nurse is not responsible.

Answer 1

C
A nurse may delegate the measurement of selected vital signs (e.g., stable patients) to nursing assistive personnel. However, it is the nurse's responsibility to review vital sign data, interpret their significance, and critically think through decisions about interventions. When vital signs appear abnormal, repeat the measurement. When caring for a patient, the nurse is responsible for vital sign monitoring.