In a prioritization exercise, which action demonstrates safe delegation when a patient requires routine care?

• A. Delegating routine vital signs and basic care tasks to UAP while the RN remains responsible for assessment and safety.
• B. Delegating all nursing assessments to UAP to expedite care.
• C. Performing every task yourself without delegation.
• D. Assigning tasks randomly without supervision.

Answer: (A)

Safe delegation in nursing focuses on assigning routine, noncomplex tasks to the right team members while the nurse retains responsibility for the patient’s overall assessment and safety. When a patient requires routine care, it’s appropriate for the nurse to have a UAP perform routine vital signs and basic care tasks, such as hygiene assistance or turning, under clear instructions and supervision. The RN still carries the assessment and clinical decision-making load, continuously monitoring for changes, interpreting data, and escalating concerns as needed. This approach keeps care efficient without compromising safety because routine tasks don’t require professional judgment, but timely detection of any deterioration remains the nurse’s responsibility. Other options either move critical assessment outside the nurse’s control, waste time, or lack supervision, all of which could compromise safety and care quality.