In delegation practice, which task is most appropriate for an LPN to perform?

• A. A comprehensive assessment.
• B. A focused routine nursing task that does not require initial assessment or judgment, such as routine monitoring under supervision.
• C. A new diagnosis development.
• D. Interpreting lab results and writing a care plan.

Answer: (B)

Delegation in nursing hinges on matching the task to the practitioner's scope and the level of judgment required. LPNs perform routine, focused nursing tasks that don’t require an initial assessment or independent clinical decision-making, especially when supervision or established protocols are in place. A routine monitoring task fits this well because it involves regular data collection—such as vital signs and routine observations—that doesn’t require forming a new problem or deciding on a care plan on the spot. The initial assessment, determining nursing diagnoses, and creating a care plan demand higher-level assessment skills and clinical judgment, which are typically reserved for the RN. Interpreting lab results and writing a care plan also require synthesis and decision-making beyond routine monitoring. Therefore, routine monitoring under supervision is the task most appropriate for an LPN.