Question

The nurse manager is setting up the room assignments for the unit. She has one critical patient on the unit, who is going to require more care than the others. Before delegating a task, a nurse manager should:

A) Assign the task quickly to ensure prompt execution
B) Evaluate the past performance of the nursing staff
C) Assess the amount of guidance and support needed in a particular situation
D) Delegate tasks based on the nurses' workload

Answer 1

Before delegating a task, the nurse manager should assess the guidance and support needed, evaluate nursing staff competencies, and ensure that the tasks are appropriately assigned, especially in critical care settings.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before a nurse manager delegates a task, especially when dealing with critical patients who require more care, it is essential to assess the amount of guidance and support needed in a particular situation (Option C). The nurse manager should consider the skills and competencies of the nursing staff, as well as the complexity and acuity of the patient's condition. Direct supervision of a registered nurse may be necessary, particularly when tasks involve specialized care such as providing dialysis treatments. Ensuring that tasks are delegated to competent staff members who are capable of performing them with the necessary level of precision and care is critical for patient safety - this includes taking and reporting patient's vital signs, preparing solutions, and equipment for dialysis to be both accurate and sterile. Additionally, the nurse manager needs to ensure that team members, including ICU Staff Nurses, have a clear understanding of their responsibilities, such as confirming patient identity, reviewing critical steps, and ensuring equipment sterility.