# A registered nurse (RN) is working on a medical-surgical unit with a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is most appropriate for the RN to delegate to the LPN?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543580  
> language: ko  
> subject: Next Gen NCLEX

## 문제

A registered nurse (RN) is working on a medical-surgical unit with a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is most appropriate for the RN to delegate to the LPN?

## 보기

1. Developing a discharge teaching plan for a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes
2. Performing initial assessment on a patient admitted with chest pain
3. Administering oral medications to stable patients with chronic conditions **✔ 정답**
4. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain management interventions

**정답: 3**

## 해설

LPNs can safely administer oral medications to stable patients under RN supervision, which is within their scope. Other options require RN-level assessment, planning, or evaluation skills.

## 심화 해설

Clinical Judgment
This question evaluates the RN's ability to determine the appropriateness of **delegation** to team members (LPN, UAP). The key is understanding each role's legal Scope of Practice and the patient's condition. Under RN supervision, an LPN can provide care for **predictable and stable** patients, but tasks requiring independent judgment such as **assessment, planning, and evaluation** are exclusive to the RN. Option 3 involves administering routine oral medication to a stable chronic patient, which falls within the typical scope of practice for an LPN.

Memory Tip:
Remember the core principle for delegation decisions: **A**ssessment, **P**lanning, **E**valuation (APE) are done only by the RN. The LPN assists with **I**mplementation. It's easy to memorize as "APE is RN."

KR vs US:
The roles and legal scope of nursing assistants and auxiliary nursing personnel in Korea are fundamentally different from the LPN/LVN and UAP system in the United States. For the US NCLEX, you must judge based on the US Scope of Practice standards. While delegating medication administration to a nursing assistant is not common in Korea, US LPNs/LVNs are permitted to administer certain medications.

## 임상 시나리오

Clinical Practice Guide
When delegating, the RN must verify the "5 Rights of Delegation": 1) Right Task, 2) Right Circumstance, 3) Right Person, 4) Right Direction/Communication, 5) Right Supervision/Evaluation.

Caution:
In SATA (Select All That Apply) questions, tasks that **can** and **cannot** be delegated to an LPN are often mixed together. Clearly distinguish that "Initial Assessment," "Planning," and "Evaluation of intervention effectiveness" are never delegated to an LPN.

## 핵심 개념

- **Delegation** — The process by which an RN delegates specific patient care tasks to other qualified personnel (LPN, UAP) while retaining accountability and supervisory authority over their performance.
- **Scope of Practice** — Scope of practice legally permitted and trained for each medical license holder (LPN, RN). Violating this may constitute an illegal act.
- **LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) / LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse)** — A licensed nurse who provides basic care to stable patients with predictable outcomes under the supervision of an RN. Can administer medications (except some IV medications), perform routine procedures, and collect data.
- **UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel)** — Unlicensed assistive personnel (e.g., nursing assistants, nurse aides). Under the supervision of an RN or LPN, they perform non-nursing, routine tasks (vital sign measurement, mobility assistance, basic hygiene, etc.).
- **Rights of Delegation** — Five criteria for safe delegation: appropriate task, circumstance, person, direction/communication, and supervision/evaluation. This is a framework that RNs must consider when making delegation decisions.

## 같은 주제 문제

- [A charge nurse is making assignments for the upcoming shift. Which patient assignment shou…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543575)
- [A charge nurse is making assignments for the upcoming shift. Which patient assignment demo…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543576)
- [A charge nurse on a cardiac unit is prioritizing assignments for the upcoming shift. Which…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543577)
- [A charge nurse is making assignments for the upcoming shift. Which patient assignment demo…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543578)
- [A charge nurse is making assignments for the upcoming shift. Which patient assignment shou…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543579)
- [A charge nurse is making assignments for the upcoming shift. Which patient assignment woul…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543581)
- [A charge nurse is making delegation assignments for the evening shift. Which task is most …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543582)
- [A registered nurse (RN) is working on a busy medical-surgical unit with a licensed practic…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=543583)

---

More free questions: [기출문제](https://mymerci.kr/)

_학습 참고용입니다. 실제 임상은 최신 지침과 소속 기관 프로토콜을 따르세요._