Sharing responsibility and authority with others and holding them accountable for performance is termed as?

JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018

Nursing Management & leadership

Easy

Appeared in: JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018

Explanation

The question provides the textbook definition of delegation.
Delegation involves three key elements: assigning responsibility, granting authority, and creating accountability.
In nursing, a registered nurse (RN) can delegate tasks to licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), but the RN remains ultimately accountable for the patient's care and outcomes.
This process allows managers and senior nurses to manage their workload effectively, develop the skills of junior staff, and ensure that patient care is delivered efficiently.

Option A: Leading is about influencing and motivating people. While a leader might delegate tasks, the term 'leading' itself refers to the broader process of providing direction and inspiration, not the specific act of assigning tasks and authority.
Option B: Organizing involves structuring resources, workflows, and departments. It's about creating the framework within which work happens. Delegation is one tool used within that organized structure, but it is not the entire process of organizing.
Option C: Controlling is a monitoring function. It involves checking performance against standards and taking corrective action. While it relates to accountability, it doesn't involve the initial act of assigning responsibility and authority.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Management Principles in Nursing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Effective delegation is a critical skill for nurses to ensure patient safety and manage time efficiently. Improper delegation can lead to errors, patient harm, and legal consequences.
A registered nurse cannot delegate tasks that require nursing judgment, assessment, or complex skills. For example, an RN can delegate taking vital signs on a stable patient but cannot delegate the interpretation of those vital signs or the initial assessment of a new patient.
What if? If a nurse delegates a task (like a blood glucose check) to an assistive personnel who is not trained for it (violating the 'Right Person' principle), and the assistant performs the test incorrectly leading to an insulin dosage error, the delegating nurse is held accountable for the negative outcome because the delegation was improper.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the key actions described: 'sharing responsibility,' 'sharing authority,' and 'holding accountable.'
This is a definition-based question. Your task is to match the definition to the correct management term.
Analyze each option: 'Leading' is about influence, 'Organizing' is about structure, 'Controlling' is about monitoring.
Recognize that 'Delegation' specifically encompasses the three core components mentioned in the question: assigning the task (responsibility), giving the power to do it (authority), and ensuring it's done correctly (accountability).
Select the term that most accurately and completely matches the description provided in the stem.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart B (pp 328-654 of 982) p. 133-135

E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart A (pp 26-327 of 982) p. 206-208