Delegation: What Can Go to LPN and UAP

By VeriScorePrep Team · 5 min

Delegation is assigning tasks within a team member's scope while retaining accountability for the outcome. The RN keeps the analysis, planning, and evaluation; delegates routine, stable-patient tasks when the five rights are met.

RN-only activities

Initial and ongoing complex assessment, nursing diagnosis and care planning, complex teaching, evaluation of outcomes, and decisions requiring nursing judgment. These cannot be delegated.

LPN scope

Reinforce (not initial) teaching, administer routine medications, perform sterile procedures (per state and facility), monitor stable patients, and report changes. LPNs care for stable, predictable patients — not acute, unstable, or complex.

UAP scope

Activities of daily living, ambulation, hygiene, basic vital signs on stable patients, intake/output, and simple observations. They cannot administer medications or perform assessments.

Five rights of delegation

Right task, right circumstance (stable, predictable patient), right person (scope and competence), right communication (clear, specific instructions), and right supervision (monitor and follow up). The RN remains accountable for the delegation and the evaluation.

Examples

• New admission with chest pain: RN assesses; does not delegate.
• Stable post-op day 3 patient ambulation with assistive device: UAP.
• Stable patient on chronic oral medications: LPN.
• Newly diagnosed diabetic teaching: RN (initial); LPN reinforces (after the RN has designed).