Five Rights of Delegation

Definition

The Five Rights of Delegation are principles developed by the NCSBN and ANA to guide nurses in appropriate, safe delegation of nursing tasks. The delegating RN retains accountability for the outcome.

The Five Rights

• Right Task: Ensure the task is appropriate for delegation and within the delegatee's scope (e.g., vital signs to UAP, sterile dressing change to LPN).
• Right Circumstance: Consider patient acuity, setting, and resources. Unstable patients require the RN.
• Right Person: Verify the delegatee has the training, skill, and competency. Do not delegate to someone who lacks necessary preparation.
• Right Direction/Communication: Provide clear, specific instructions: what, how, when, expected outcomes, what to report back.
• Right Supervision/Evaluation: Monitor performance, provide feedback, evaluate outcome. Be available for questions.

Non-Delegable Tasks (RN Only)

Use the TAPE mnemonic: Teaching, Assessment (initial), Planning, Evaluation. These require the judgment of a licensed RN and cannot be delegated to UAPs.

Scope Quick-Reference

• UAP/CNA: Stable patient ADLs, vital signs, I&O, repositioning, feeding, ambulation, bathing.
• LPN/LVN: Stable patient medications (not IV push, not first dose), sterile procedures, wound care, focused assessment, reinforcement of teaching.
• RN: Initial assessment, unstable patients, care planning, patient teaching, IV push medications (most), blood transfusion administration, evaluating outcomes.

NCLEX Relevance

Delegation is one of the most tested Management of Care topics. Expect 'Which task can be delegated to the UAP?' questions.