Page 203 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

that the client has a plan for continuing care after leaving the
health care facility and assists in the client’s transition from one
environment to another.
C. All caregivers need to be involved in discharge planning, and
referrals to other PHCPs or agencies may be needed. A PHCP’s
prescription may be needed for the referral, and the referral needs
to be approved by the client’s health care insurer.
D. The nurse should anticipate the client’s discharge needs and
make the required referral as soon as possible (involving the client
and family in the referral process).
E. The nurse needs to educate the client and family regarding care at
home (Box 7-8).

XV. Delegation and Assignments

A. Delegation
1. Delegation is a process of transferring performance of
a selected nursing task in a situation to an individual
who is competent and has the authority to perform
that specific task.
2. Delegation involves achieving outcomes and sharing
activities with other individuals who have the
authority to accomplish the task.
3. The nurse practice act and any practice limitations
(institutional policies and procedures, and job
descriptions of personnel provided by the institution)
define which aspects of care can be delegated and
which must be performed by a registered nurse.
4. Even though a task may be delegated to someone, the
nurse who delegates maintains ultimate
accountability for the task.
5. The nurse cannot delegate any activity that involves
nursing judgment or critical decision making.
6. The 5 rights of delegation include the right task, right
circumstances, right person, right
direction/communication, and right
supervision/evaluation.

The nurse delegates only tasks for which he or she is

responsible. The nurse who delegates is accountable for the task; the
person who assumes responsibility for the task is also accountable.
B. Principles and guidelines of delegating (Box 7-9)
C. Assignments
1. Assignment is the transfer of performance of client
care activities to specific staff members.
2. Guidelines for client care assignments
a. Always ensure client safety.

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