Final answer:
A nurse can delegate certain tasks within the nursing scope that do not require the advanced judgment of an RN, such as taking vital signs or preparing equipment for dialysis treatments. They must ensure the tasks are within the competence of the delegate and adhere to protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the definition of delegation, a nurse may delegate tasks that fall under the scope of nursing practice and do not require the advanced judgment and skill of a registered nurse (RN). In the context of providing dialysis treatments, this could involve actions such as taking and reporting a patient's vital signs, preparing solutions, and ensuring equipment is ready and sterile for procedures. However, more complex tasks, such as assessing patient history and responding to changes in a patient's condition during treatment, would typically require the direct supervision of an RN.
Nurses must also ensure that all delegated tasks are performed following established protocols and standards of care. The nurse is responsible for the delegation process, which includes verifying that the individual they are delegating to is competent to perform the task and reviewing items such as the name of the procedure, needle, sponge, and instrument counts, specimen labeling, and equipment issues.