NCLEX-RNManagement of CareEasy
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is assigned to a nurse's team. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the UAP?
- AAssessing a client's surgical wound for signs of infection
- BTeaching a client how to self-administer insulin
- CAmbulating a client who is 2 days post-hip replacement
- DEvaluating a client's understanding of discharge instructions
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Ambulating a client who is 2 days post-hip replacement
Ambulation of a stable, non-complex client is within the UAP scope of practice because it does not require nursing assessment, judgment, or teaching. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require licensed nursing judgment and cannot be delegated.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Assessment requires nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to UAP.
- B. Teaching requires licensed nurse judgment and evaluation of learning needs.
- D. Evaluating understanding requires nursing judgment, not delegable to UAP.
Delegation to UAP
UAPs may perform tasks that are routine, standardized, have predictable outcomes, and do not require nursing judgment (e.g., ADLs, vital signs, ambulation).
- The 5 Rights of Delegation: right task, circumstance, person, direction, supervision
- Assessment, teaching, and evaluation are never delegable
- The nurse retains accountability for delegated tasks
Memory trick: UAP does ADLs, RN does the thinking