Question

Which situations would cause concern about liability with regard to delegation?

A. The nurse asks the LPN to change a central line dressing.
B. The nursing supervisor asks the nurse for details about a client's history.
C. The nursing assistant asks a nurse to check the status of a client on the team.
D. The supervisor asks the charge nurse to give a nurse a difficult assignment.
E. The charge nurse asks a staff nurse's opinion on the client's surgical incision.

Answer 1

Delegation situations that may cause concern about liability include asking an LPN to change a central line dressing, assigning a difficult task without considering a nurse's competence, and relying solely on a staff nurse's opinion about a surgical incision.

Step-by-step explanation:

Delegation in healthcare involves assigning tasks to individuals who are qualified and competent to perform them. However, certain situations can raise concerns about liability when delegating tasks:

1. A. The nurse asks the LPN to change a central line dressing: Changing a central line dressing is a complex task that requires specialized knowledge and skills. In this case, delegating such a task to an LPN may raise concerns about liability if any complications or errors occur.
2. D. The supervisor asks the charge nurse to give a nurse a difficult assignment: Delegating a difficult assignment without considering the nurse's competence or ability to handle it may raise liability concerns if the nurse faces challenges or makes errors.
3. E. The charge nurse asks a staff nurse's opinion on the client's surgical incision: Seeking an opinion from a staff nurse regarding a surgical incision may not pose direct liability concerns since it involves gathering information. However, if the charge nurse relies solely on the staff nurse's opinion without verifying the incision or seeking input from other qualified professionals, it may lead to liability.