DELEGATION PRACTICE

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What is delegation in nursing practice?

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Delegation in nursing practice refers to the process of transferring the responsibility for a specific task or activity to another qualified individual while retaining accountability for the outcome.

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What tasks can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

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Tasks that can be delegated to UAP include basic patient care activities such as bathing, feeding, and reminding patients of care instructions, as long as they do not require clinical judgment.

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What is the role of the nurse in delegation?

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The nurse is responsible for assessing the patient's needs, determining which tasks can be delegated, providing clear instructions, and ensuring that the UAP is competent to perform the delegated tasks.

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What is the importance of understanding scope of practice in delegation?

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Understanding scope of practice is crucial in delegation to ensure that tasks are assigned to individuals who are legally and professionally qualified to perform them, thus ensuring patient safety.

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What is the difference between delegation and assignment in nursing?

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Delegation involves transferring responsibility for a task while retaining accountability, whereas assignment refers to the distribution of work among staff without the transfer of responsibility.

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What are the five rights of delegation?

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The five rights of delegation are: 1) Right task, 2) Right circumstance, 3) Right person, 4) Right direction/communication, 5) Right supervision/evaluation.

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What is the significance of patient safety in delegation?

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Patient safety is paramount in delegation; nurses must ensure that delegated tasks do not compromise patient care and that UAPs are adequately trained to perform the tasks.

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What should a nurse do if a UAP feels unprepared to perform a delegated task?

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The nurse should reassess the situation, provide additional training or support, or reassign the task to someone who is competent to perform it.

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What is the role of communication in effective delegation?

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Effective communication is essential in delegation to ensure that the UAP understands the task, expectations, and any specific patient needs or precautions.

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What is the impact of inadequate delegation on patient care?

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Inadequate delegation can lead to increased workload for nurses, potential errors in patient care, and compromised patient safety.