Question

A nurse is working with a nursing assisstive personnel (NAP) on a busy oncology unit. The nurse has instructed the NAP on the tasks that need to be performed, including getting patient A out of bed, collecting a urine specimen from patient B, and checking vital signs on patient C, who is scheduled to go home. Which of the following represent(s) successful delegation? (Select all that apply.)

1. A nurse explains to the NAP the approach to use in getting the patient up and why the patient has activity limitations.
2. A nurse is asked by a patient to help her to the bathroom; the nurse leaves the room and directs the NAP to assist the patient instead.
3. The nurse sees the NAP preparing to help a patient out of bed, goes to assist, and thanks the NAP for her efforts to get the patient up early.
4. The nurse is in patient B's room to check an intravenous (IV) line and collects the urine specimen while in the room.
5. The nurse offers support to the NAP when needed but allows her to complete patient care tasks without constant oversight.

Answer 1

Successful delegation in nursing involves clear communication, trusting the NAP to perform tasks without constant oversight, and remaining within one's scope of practice. Examples 1 and 5 from the question denote successful delegation by providing clear instructions and appropriate support, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Successful delegation in nursing involves transferring the responsibility for the performance of a task from a nurse to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) while retaining accountability for the outcome. Successful delegation includes providing clear instructions, offering support, and performing tasks within one's scope of practice.

• 1. Successful delegation: When the nurse explains to the NAP the proper approach to use in getting the patient up and why the patient has activity limitations, this ensures clear communication and understanding of the task, embodying successful delegation.
• 5. Successful delegation: The nurse offers support to the NAP when needed but allows her to complete patient care tasks without constant oversight. This demonstrates trust and appropriate oversight, key elements of successful delegation.

Conversely, when the nurse redirects care to the NAP while busy with another task without providing proper instruction or assistance (2), it does not constitute successful delegation. Likewise, when the nurse takes over a task that has been allocated to the NAP (4), it undermines the delegation process.