RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)
Nursing Management & leadership
Easy

Transferring of responsibility to subordinates on behalf of the manager is called as

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

  • Delegation is the process of a manager assigning responsibility and authority for a specific task to another person.
  • The key feature of delegation is that while the subordinate is responsible for performing the task, the manager retains overall accountability for the final outcome.
  • This definition directly matches the scenario described in the question: transferring responsibility to a subordinate.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Coordination is about synchronizing and integrating various activities and departments to achieve common objectives harmoniously. It does not involve the transfer of responsibility for a task from a manager to a subordinate.
  • Option B: Decision making is the cognitive process of choosing a specific course of action from among a set of alternatives. It is a problem-solving activity, not the act of assigning work to others.
  • Option C: Leadership is a broad concept involving the ability to influence, motivate, and guide individuals or a group toward a shared vision or goal. Delegation is a specific skill or tool that a leader uses, but it is not the definition of leadership itself.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
  • Visual 1: Flowchart - Illustrating the Delegation Process. This can show the steps: 1. Assess the task and the subordinate's skills. 2. Communicate the task clearly. 3. Grant authority. 4. Monitor progress. 5. Evaluate the outcome and provide feedback. The manager's accountability would be an overarching element.
  • Visual 2: Infographic - The Five Rights of Delegation. A circular diagram with each 'Right' as a segment, providing a brief explanation, making it easy to memorize.
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Management Principles: Delegation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Effective delegation is a critical skill for nurse managers to ensure efficient patient care, manage workloads, and develop the skills of their team members.
  • Improper delegation is a major patient safety risk. Assigning a task to an unqualified person or without proper supervision can lead to errors, patient harm, and legal liability for the nurse.
  • What if? - If a registered nurse delegates the task of administering intravenous (IV) medication to a nursing assistant, this is improper delegation. The task is outside the nursing assistant's scope of practice, violating the 'Right Task' and 'Right Person' principles, and places the patient at significant risk.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key phrase in the question stem: 'Transferring of responsibility to subordinates'.
  • Next, consider the provided options as management concepts and recall their basic definitions.
  • Evaluate 'Coordination': This is about organizing, not transferring responsibility.
  • Evaluate 'Decision Making': This is about choosing, not assigning tasks.
  • Evaluate 'Leadership': This is a broad term for influencing people; transferring tasks is only one part of it.
  • Evaluate 'Delegation': This term specifically means assigning tasks and responsibility to others.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Management Principles: Delegation
  • Stem keywords: Transferring of responsibility, subordinates, manager
  • Lead-in keywords: called as

Question ID

QwRci09arZi8EV8Y72fnLq

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