When delegating a routine patient care task to support staff, which task is generally considered safe to delegate?

• A. Administering medications.
• B. Inserting an IV line.
• C. Assessing the patient’s pain level.
• D. Providing basic care activities that do not require nursing judgment, such as assisting with hygiene or delivering supplies.

Answer: (D)

Delegation hinges on assigning tasks to staff based on scope of practice and the level of judgment required. Tasks that are routine and don’t need nursing judgment are safe to delegate to support staff. Providing basic care activities such as assisting with hygiene, helping with activities of daily living, or delivering supplies fits this, because they help with comfort and daily functioning without requiring the nurse to interpret assessments or choose interventions.

Distributing medications, inserting IV lines, or evaluating a patient’s pain level demand professional nursing assessment, invasive procedures, or pharmacologic expertise. Those responsibilities require a licensed nurse and appropriate supervising oversight.

Remember, the nurse maintains accountability for delegating tasks and must supervise, clarify instructions, and reassess if the patient’s condition changes.