A registered nurse on a medical-surgical unit is assigning tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Which tasks are appropriate for the nurse to assign to the LPN? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
The LPN scope of practice generally includes administering routine medications to stable clients and reinforcing teaching that the RN has previously initiated. Initial admission assessment, initiating the nursing care plan, and developing a discharge teaching plan all require the broader assessment, evaluation, and clinical judgment skills reserved for the RN. State Nurse Practice Acts vary; the NCLEX answer reflects the most restrictive interpretation.
Clinical Judgment RN-only tasks: initial assessment, care plan initiation, evaluation, discharge teaching. LPN tasks: routine meds for stable clients, reinforced teaching, focused assessment under RN supervision. UAP tasks: ADLs, vital signs on stable clients, intake/output, ambulation.
Memory Tip RN = Assess + Plan + Teach + Evaluate. LPN = Reinforce + Routine. UAP = ADLs + VS (stable)
KR vs US US: state Nurse Practice Acts define RN/LPN/UAP scope. Korea: Medical Service Act article 2 splits Registered Nurse / Nurse Assistant (similar to RN/UAP). NCLEX expects the US scope structure regardless of test taker country.
Clinical Practice GuideFive Rights of Delegation (NCSBN):- Right Task: appropriate for delegation- Right Circumstance: client stability and setting- Right Person: delegatee competent- Right Direction/Communication: clear, specific, measurable- Right Supervision/Evaluation: RN remains accountable
Cannot delegate: A-P-T-E (Assessment, Planning, Teaching, Evaluation) on initial or unstable cases.
CautionEven when a task is delegable, the RN remains accountable for outcomes. Verify delegatee competence first; if uncertain, do not delegate. Reassess after the task to confirm safe completion.
Five Rights of Delegation — NCSBN framework: Right Task, Right Circumstance, Right Person, Right Direction, Right Supervision. Required before delegating any task to an LPN or UAP. The RN remains accountable even when delegation is appropriate.
Nursing process — ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation. Initial Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, and Evaluation are RN-only. Implementation can be delegated within scope. Reassessment of unstable clients is also RN-only.
LPN scope — State-defined functions of the licensed practical/vocational nurse. Generally includes administering routine medications to stable clients, reinforcing teaching, focused data collection, dressing changes, and basic procedures. Does not include initial assessment, care planning, IV push of high-alert drugs, or initial teaching.