The extent of command concept that involves the nurse supervisor and the staff, holding her responsible for the performance of specific acts is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2016

Explanation

Delegation is the process where a manager or supervisor assigns a specific task and the authority to perform it to a subordinate.
The question describes a supervisor holding a staff member 'responsible for the performance of specific acts,' which is the essence of delegation.
While the responsibility for the action is transferred, the supervisor retains ultimate accountability for the outcome of the delegated task.
This process allows managers to extend their 'command' or influence by utilizing the skills of their team to accomplish goals efficiently.

Option A: Unity of command refers to the reporting structure, stating that an employee should have only one direct supervisor to avoid conflicting orders. It does not describe the act of assigning tasks.
Option C: Homogenous assignment is about organizing work by grouping similar tasks or patient types together for efficiency. It's a method of work distribution, not the act of transferring responsibility.
Option D: Span of control refers to the number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise. It's about the breadth of supervision, not the process of assigning responsibility for specific acts.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Nursing Management Principles: Delegation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Proper delegation is a critical skill for nurse leaders to manage workload, ensure timely patient care, and develop the skills of their team members.
Failure to delegate correctly (e.g., delegating the wrong task or to an unqualified person) can compromise patient safety and lead to negative outcomes, for which the delegating nurse is legally and professionally accountable.
What if? If a nurse delegates a task like wound dressing to a nursing assistant who is not trained for that specific procedure, the delegating nurse is responsible for any resulting patient harm. The correct action would be to perform the task themselves or delegate it to another qualified registered nurse.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the core concept. The key phrase is 'holding her responsible for the performance of specific acts'.
Define each of the options in the context of management principles.
Compare the definition of each option with the scenario described in the question stem.
Delegation of responsibility directly matches the act of a supervisor transferring responsibility for a task to a staff member.
Eliminate the other options: 'Unity of command' is about reporting structure, 'Span of control' is about the number of subordinates, and 'Homogenous assignment' is about task grouping. None of these fit the description as well as delegation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nursing Management Principles: Delegation
Stem keywords: extent of command, nurse supervisor, staff, responsible, performance of specific acts
Lead-in keywords: is
Negative lead-in flag: false

Qod253KLyjztowrBvIJpgk

E6 Principles and Practice of NURSING Management Leadership for BSc Nursing 3rd Edi Jogindra Vati — Subpart B (pp 340-678 of 1017) p. 11-13

E6 Principles and Practice of NURSING Management Leadership for BSc Nursing 3rd Edi Jogindra Vati — Subpart A (pp 26-339 of 1017) p. 183-185

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.