The 5 Rights of Delegation
- Right Task — Is this task within the delegatee's scope of practice?
- Right Circumstance — Is the patient stable and predictable?
- Right Person — Does this specific person have the training and competency?
- Right Direction — Were clear instructions given?
- Right Supervision — Is the RN available to monitor and provide feedback?
What Can — and Cannot — Be Delegated
| Task Type | RN | LPN | UAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial assessment | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Patient teaching | ✓ | Reinforce only | ✗ |
| Medication administration | ✓ | ✓ (select meds) | ✗ |
| Routine vital signs (stable) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ADLs (bathing, feeding) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wound care (routine) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| IV push medications | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
The RN can NEVER delegate: assessment, care planning, evaluation of outcomes, initial patient teaching, or any task that requires nursing judgment in an unstable patient.