Never delegate assessment, teaching, evaluation, or an unstable/first-time task to a UAP.
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
An RN is delegating to an LPN/LVN and a UAP. Which task is best matched to the LPN/LVN's scope rather than the UAP's?
Answer: A. Administering routine scheduled medications by an established route is within LPN/LVN scope and beyond UAP scope. Bathing, transferring, and recording intake and output are appropriate UAP tasks.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) for a client with diabetes. Which task is appropriate to delegate?
Answer: B. Obtaining a routine fingerstick blood glucose using a point-of-care glucometer is within the UAP scope in many facilities once trained and competency-validated. Administering insulin, teaching about a new regimen, and assessing or interpreting a hypoglycemic client all require the judgment and licensure of the nurse and cannot be delegated to a UAP.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is delegating care for a stable client recovering from a stroke. Which task is appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
Answer: A. Feeding a stable client who has been cleared by speech therapy for a specific diet, assisting with hygiene, and helping with positioning are within the scope of unlicensed assistive personnel. Assessing swallowing ability, performing the initial neurologic assessment, and evaluating the response to a new medication require the judgment of a licensed nurse and cannot be delegated.
Question 4 of 5
A charge nurse is delegating tasks. Which wound-related task is appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
Answer: A. Repositioning a client every 2 hours is within the UAP scope and supports pressure injury prevention. Sterile dressing changes, initial wound assessment, and staging of a pressure injury require the clinical judgment of a licensed nurse and cannot be delegated to UAP.
Question 5 of 5
The charge nurse is assigning tasks on an orthopedic unit. Which task is MOST appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
Answer: B. Repositioning a stable client and applying prescribed sequential compression devices are routine, standardized tasks within the UAP scope. Neurovascular assessment, traction adjustment, and teaching require the judgment of a licensed nurse and cannot be delegated.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
Key points to remember
- Assessment, teaching, evaluation, care plan
- Unstable / unpredictable patients
- IV push, blood, titration, triage
- Stable patients with predictable outcomes
- Reinforce teaching, most PO/IM meds, routine wound/trach/tube care
- ADLs, hygiene, feeding, ambulating
- Vitals, I&O, weight, glucose checks (stable)
- NOT assessment or teaching
Nursing priorities
- RN: initial assessment, teaching, evaluation, care planning, unstable patients, blood, IV push, titration.
- LPN: stable patients, reinforce teaching, most meds (per state), routine tube feeds, wound care.
Patient teaching
- Delegate the task, never the accountability — the RN still evaluates the outcome.
- When in doubt on an NCLEX item, the RN keeps assessment, teaching, evaluation, and the unstable patient.
Red flags: report now
- Never delegate assessment, teaching, evaluation, or an unstable/first-time task to a UAP.
References
Clinical references for this topic
