Cherry & Jacob 7e: Chapter 20 question
and answer
Chapter 20: Effective Delegation and Supervision
Cherry & Jacob: Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends, and Management, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE - correct answer-
1. The task of completing and signing the initial assessment on a newly admitted patient who
is about to undergo minimally invasive procedures on an outpatient basis can be delegated
to:
a. the registered nurse (RN).
b. the licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN).
c. unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
d. all levels of staff, because the information is about the past and cannot change. - correct
answer-ANS: A
Only the RN can perform and sign the admission assessment, although some components
such as monitoring vital signs may be delegated.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 357
2. An RN recently relocated to another region of the country and immediately assumed the
role of charge nurse. When determining the appropriate person to whom to delegate, the RN
knows that:
a. the role of the LPN/LVN is the same from state to state.
b. the LPN/LVN can be taught to perform all the duties of an RN if approved by the employer
and if additional on-the-job training is provided.
c. he or she must review the state's nurse practice act for LPN/LVNs, because each state
defines the role and scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
d. The Joint Commission has certified and established roles for the LPN/LVN. - correct
answer-ANS: C
The scope of practice of the LPN/LVN varies significantly from state to state; RNs should
know the LPN/LVN nurse practice act in the state in which they practice and should
understand the legal scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 354
3. Which task is most likely to be considered in a state's practice act as appropriate to
delegate to a LPN/LVN if the patient's condition is stable and competence in the task has
been established?
a. Administer an enema for an elective surgery patient.
b. Administer an antiarrhythmic medication IV while interpreting the patient's rhythm on the
cardiac monitor.
c. Develop a plan of care for a stable patient admitted for observation after a head injury.
d. Teach a patient how to instill eye drops for glaucoma. - correct answer-ANS: A
, The RN who is delegating must consider the following: (1) the delegatee's current workload
and the complexity of the task, (2) whether the staff member is familiar with the patient
population and with the task to be performed, and (3) whether the RN is able to provide the
appropriate level of supervision. The delegation decision-making tree would also support
delegation of this task.
DIF: Analysis REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
4. A patient is admitted with hypotension, shortness of breath, flushing, and hives. All levels
of staff have been trained to assess vital signs. Given budget restrictions and proper
delegation rules, to which care provider would the RN delegate the task of obtaining the
initial blood pressure reading?
a. RN
b. LPN/LVN
c. Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)
d. Use the blood pressure obtained in the ambulance, because it was assessed via
electronic monitoring. - correct answer-ANS: A
The patient's condition is not stable; therefore, the skills of an RN are required.
DIF: Application REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
5. A nurse is delegating to the newly hired nursing unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the
task of assisting with oral hygiene, knowing that this assignment "does not require decisions
based on the nursing process." The nurse is correctly using which of the five rights of
delegation?
a. Supervision
b. Communication
c. Person
d. Circumstance - correct answer-ANS: D
Right circumstance involves the delegation of tasks that do not require independent nursing
judgments.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 360
6. A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals
employ unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to
the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is
to:
a. supplement the staffing pattern when an RN is not available.
b. aid the RN by performing appropriately delegated care tasks.
c. replace the RN when the health care facility provides long-term care.
d. provide patient teaching, allowing more direct care to be provided by the RN. - correct
answer-ANS: B
The UAP and LPN/LVN can increase productivity of the RN by performing those tasks that
fall within their scope of practice.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 353
and answer
Chapter 20: Effective Delegation and Supervision
Cherry & Jacob: Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends, and Management, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE - correct answer-
1. The task of completing and signing the initial assessment on a newly admitted patient who
is about to undergo minimally invasive procedures on an outpatient basis can be delegated
to:
a. the registered nurse (RN).
b. the licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN).
c. unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
d. all levels of staff, because the information is about the past and cannot change. - correct
answer-ANS: A
Only the RN can perform and sign the admission assessment, although some components
such as monitoring vital signs may be delegated.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 357
2. An RN recently relocated to another region of the country and immediately assumed the
role of charge nurse. When determining the appropriate person to whom to delegate, the RN
knows that:
a. the role of the LPN/LVN is the same from state to state.
b. the LPN/LVN can be taught to perform all the duties of an RN if approved by the employer
and if additional on-the-job training is provided.
c. he or she must review the state's nurse practice act for LPN/LVNs, because each state
defines the role and scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
d. The Joint Commission has certified and established roles for the LPN/LVN. - correct
answer-ANS: C
The scope of practice of the LPN/LVN varies significantly from state to state; RNs should
know the LPN/LVN nurse practice act in the state in which they practice and should
understand the legal scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 354
3. Which task is most likely to be considered in a state's practice act as appropriate to
delegate to a LPN/LVN if the patient's condition is stable and competence in the task has
been established?
a. Administer an enema for an elective surgery patient.
b. Administer an antiarrhythmic medication IV while interpreting the patient's rhythm on the
cardiac monitor.
c. Develop a plan of care for a stable patient admitted for observation after a head injury.
d. Teach a patient how to instill eye drops for glaucoma. - correct answer-ANS: A
, The RN who is delegating must consider the following: (1) the delegatee's current workload
and the complexity of the task, (2) whether the staff member is familiar with the patient
population and with the task to be performed, and (3) whether the RN is able to provide the
appropriate level of supervision. The delegation decision-making tree would also support
delegation of this task.
DIF: Analysis REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
4. A patient is admitted with hypotension, shortness of breath, flushing, and hives. All levels
of staff have been trained to assess vital signs. Given budget restrictions and proper
delegation rules, to which care provider would the RN delegate the task of obtaining the
initial blood pressure reading?
a. RN
b. LPN/LVN
c. Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)
d. Use the blood pressure obtained in the ambulance, because it was assessed via
electronic monitoring. - correct answer-ANS: A
The patient's condition is not stable; therefore, the skills of an RN are required.
DIF: Application REF: pp. 357-358, Box 20-3
5. A nurse is delegating to the newly hired nursing unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the
task of assisting with oral hygiene, knowing that this assignment "does not require decisions
based on the nursing process." The nurse is correctly using which of the five rights of
delegation?
a. Supervision
b. Communication
c. Person
d. Circumstance - correct answer-ANS: D
Right circumstance involves the delegation of tasks that do not require independent nursing
judgments.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 360
6. A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals
employ unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to
the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is
to:
a. supplement the staffing pattern when an RN is not available.
b. aid the RN by performing appropriately delegated care tasks.
c. replace the RN when the health care facility provides long-term care.
d. provide patient teaching, allowing more direct care to be provided by the RN. - correct
answer-ANS: B
The UAP and LPN/LVN can increase productivity of the RN by performing those tasks that
fall within their scope of practice.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 353
