Never delegate a task if any one of the five rights cannot be met.
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
A charge nurse is making assignments during a busy shift. Which principle should guide the delegation of tasks?
Answer: B. The Five Rights of Delegation (right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction/communication, right supervision) guide appropriate delegation. The nurse delegates the right task to the right person under the right circumstances with clear direction and follow-up. Tasks are never delegated solely to balance workloads when they exceed the worker's scope or competency.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is delegating glucose checks. Which aspect of delegation does verifying the UAP's competency with the glucometer represent?
Answer: B. Verifying that the UAP is competent to use the glucometer reflects the right person component of the Five Rights of Delegation, ensuring the delegate has the skill and qualification for the task. The right task concerns the task itself, the right circumstance concerns the setting, and the right supervision concerns follow-up.
Question 3 of 5
A registered nurse is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?
Answer: B. The five rights of delegation guide the RN to delegate tasks that are routine, standardized, and within the UAP's role, such as measuring and recording vital signs on a stable client. Assessment, teaching, evaluation, and judgment about unstable clients cannot be delegated because they require the nurse's clinical reasoning.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is delegating tasks but remains accountable for the outcomes. Which statement best reflects the nurse's accountability in delegation?
Answer: A. The nurse who delegates remains accountable for the appropriateness of the delegation, adequate supervision, and the overall client outcome. Delegation does not transfer professional accountability to the UAP or LPN/LVN.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is delegating to a UAP at the start of the shift. Which instruction reflects appropriate delegation?
Answer: B. Appropriate delegation includes a specific task, the parameters, and what to report. Telling the UAP to report a temperature above 38.5 degrees Celsius gives a clear limit and reporting expectation. Vague directions, delegating assessment-level judgment, or delegating teaching are inappropriate.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What is five rights of delegation?
They ensure delegation is safe, appropriate, and within scope. Memory aid: Task, Circumstance, Person, Direction, Supervision.
Key points to remember
- Right Task: the activity is delegable, routine, and has a predictable outcome.
- Right Circumstance: the client setting, resources, and situation make delegation appropriate (stable client).
- Right Person: the right provider delegates the right task to the right person for the right client.
- Right Direction/Communication: a clear, concise, specific description of the task, limits, and expected outcomes, including what and when to report.
- Right Supervision/Evaluation: appropriate monitoring, follow-up, intervention if needed, and evaluation of the outcome.
- The delegating nurse retains accountability for the delegation decision and the outcome.
Nursing priorities
- Verify the task is appropriate to delegate and within the delegatee's scope before assigning it.
- Confirm the client is stable and the circumstances support delegation.
- Give clear directions including expected results and exactly what to report back and when.
- Supervise, follow up, intervene as needed, and evaluate the outcome of the delegated task.
- Retain accountability and document appropriately.
Red flags: report now
- Never delegate a task if any one of the five rights cannot be met.
- Report-now: a delegatee who cannot or did not complete a delegated task safely, so the nurse can intervene.
- Do not delegate without clear communication of limits and reporting parameters.
References
Clinical references for this topic
