A nurse should delegate a task to?

IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Fundamental of Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Explanation

Delegation in nursing is a formal process governed by professional standards and legal guidelines, such as the Nurse Practice Act.
The primary principle is to ensure the task is assigned to a person with the verified knowledge, skill, and authority to perform it safely; this is the definition of competence.
This choice directly aligns with the 'Right Person' component of the nationally recognized 'Five Rights of Delegation', which is the standard for safe practice.
Patient safety is the highest priority, and ensuring competence is the only way to safeguard it during delegation.

Option A: Trust is a subjective feeling and not an objective measure of skill or legal authority to perform a task. A nurse can trust someone personally who is not professionally qualified.
Option C: Familiarity from working with someone regularly does not guarantee their competence for a specific task. Their training and job description might not include the delegated activity.
Option D: Basing professional decisions on personal relationships like friendship is unethical, unprofessional, and compromises patient safety. It introduces bias and is not a valid criterion for delegation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Principles of Nursing Delegation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Improper delegation can lead to significant patient harm, legal action against the nurse for malpractice, and disciplinary action from the State Board of Nursing, potentially affecting the nurse's license.
The registered nurse (RN) who delegates the task remains legally accountable for the overall process and the patient's outcome, even though the delegatee is responsible for performing the task correctly.
What if? If a competent person is new to the unit, the nurse's responsibility for 'Right Supervision' and 'Right Direction' increases significantly. The nurse must provide very clear instructions and closer oversight to ensure the task is completed safely in the new environment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the professional and legal principles of task delegation in nursing.
Analyze each option to determine if it represents a professional standard or a personal, subjective feeling.
Recognize that 'trust', 'working regularly', and 'friendship' are all based on personal relationships, not objective professional qualifications.
Identify 'competence' as the only option that reflects a professional, objective, and safety-oriented standard required for patient care.
Recall the 'Five Rights of Delegation' as the guiding framework. The 'Right Person' principle directly confirms that competence is the correct criterion.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 75-77