,Chapter 1: Concept of Delegation
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is delegation?
a. distribution of work per staff that each member is responsible for during a given period of
time
b. providing guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific task
c. transfer of accountability for performance of a task from one person to another while
retaining responsibility for the outcome
d. transfer of responsibility for performance of a task from one person to another while
retaining accountability for the outcome
ANS: D
Delegation is the transfer of responsibility for performance of a task from one person to another while
retaining accountability for the outcome (ANA, Principles for Delegation, 2005). Assignment is the
distribution of work per staff that each member is responsible for during a given period of time.
Supervision is the provision of guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific delegated nursing task
(ANA and NCSBN, Joint Statement on Delegation, 2006).
PTS: 1 DIF: Comprehension TOP: Perspectives on Delegation
2. The distribution of work per staff that each member is responsible for during a given period of time is
called __________.
a. delegation
b. assignment
c. supervision
d. accountability
ANS: B
Assignment is the distribution of work per staff that each member is responsible for during a given
period of time. Delegation is defined as transfer of responsibility for performance of a task from one
person to another while retaining accountability for the outcome (ANA, Principles for Delegation,
2005). Supervision is the provision of guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific delegated
nursing task (ANA and NCSBN, Joint Statement on Delegation, 2006). Accountability is being
responsible and answerable for behaviors, actions, or inactions of self or others under the context of
delegation (NCSBN, 1995).
PTS: 1 DIF: Comprehension TOP: Assignment
3. Which of the following statements is correct regarding delegation?
a. Delegation does not require a person to accept the responsibility for an assignment.
b. Delegation means transfer of authority for outcomes when the task is delegated to others.
c. Delegation requires a person to accept the responsibility for an assignment.
d. Delegation involves provision of guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific delegated
nursing task.
ANS: C
Delegation requires that a person accept the responsibility for the assignment; the delegation process is
not considered complete until this occurs. Another aspect of delegation is the transfer of responsibility
for performance of a task from one person to another while retaining accountability for the outcome.
The provision of guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific delegated nursing task is considered to
be a definition of the principle of supervision.
, PTS: 1 DIF: Comprehension TOP: Responsibility
4. Which of the following statements is correct regarding supervision?
a. Supervision is guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific delegated nursing task.
b. Supervision is being responsible and answerable for behaviors, actions, or inactions of self
or others under the context of delegation.
c. Supervision is the right to act or command the actions and behavior of others.
d. Supervision is the obligation that occurs when one accepts an assignment.
ANS: A
Supervision is the provision of guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific delegated nursing task
(ANA and NCSBN, Joint Statement on Delegation, 2006). Being responsible and answerable for
behaviors, actions, or inactions of self or others under the context of delegation (NCSBN, 1995) is a
definition of accountability. Authority is the right to act or command the actions and behavior of
others. Responsibility is defined as the obligation that occurs when one accepts an assignment.
PTS: 1 DIF: Comprehension TOP: Responsibility
5. Competency has a number of different contributing factors. Which is not correct regarding NAP
competency?
a. formal training and assessment
b. orientation to specific settings and groups of patients
c. ability to delegate and show proficiency and skill
d. interpersonal and communication skills
ANS: C
Competency for Nurse Assistive Personnel (NAP) has been described as a combination of a number of
different contributing factors including: 1) formal training and assessment; 2) orientation to specific
settings and groups of patients; 3) interpersonal and communication skills; and 4) experience of the
NAP in providing assistance to the nurse to provide safe effective care. NAPs do not delegate tasks or
responsibility. Nurses are responsible for delegation and are held accountable for tasks and behaviors
of others to whom the task has been delegated.
PTS: 1 DIF: Application TOP: Competence
6. The ongoing capability of the nurse to integrate and apply knowledge, skills, judgment, decision
making, and personal attitudes to practice safely and ethically in a specified role and setting pertains to
which nursing principle?
a. delegation
b. responsibility
c. authority
d. competency
ANS: D
The principle of competency can be defined as the ongoing capability of the nurse to integrate and
apply knowledge, skills, judgment, decision making, and personal attitudes to practice safely and
ethically in a specified role and setting. Delegation is defined as transfer of responsibility for
performance of a task from one person to another while retaining accountability for the outcome
(ANA, Principles for Delegation, 2005). Responsibility is the obligation that occurs when one accepts
an assignment. Authority is the right to act or command the actions and behavior of others.
PTS: 1 DIF: Comprehension TOP: Competence
, 7. Being responsible and answerable for behaviors, actions, or inactions of self or others under the
context of delegation pertains to the principle of __________.
a. supervision
b. responsibility
c. authority
d. accountability
ANS: D
Accountability is defined as being responsible and answerable for behaviors, actions, or inactions of
self or others under the context of delegation (NCSBN, 1995). Authority is the right to act or command
the actions and behavior of others. Responsibility is the obligation that occurs when one accepts an
assignment. Supervision is guidance and oversight pertaining to a specific delegated nursing task
(ANA and NCSBN, Joint Statement on Delegation, 2006).
PTS: 1 DIF: Comprehension TOP: Accountability
8. Which of the following is not correct regarding what nurses are held accountable for?
a. standards of professional practice
b. health care organization policies for their state
c. State Nurse Practice Act
d. ethical and legal models of behavior
ANS: B
Accountability in nursing pertains to being responsible and answerable for actions (or inactions) and
behaviors of self or others in the context of delegation (NCSBN, 1995). Nurses are held accountable
for the following: 1) standards of professional practice; 2) policies of their health care organization
(not necessarily those of all health care organizations within their state); 3) State Nurse Practice Act;
and 4) ethical and legal models of behavior.
PTS: 1 DIF: Comprehension TOP: Accountability
9. Some direct care tasks can be delegated to NAPs by the RN. An example of an indirect care task that
can be delegated is __________.
a. feeding
b. clerical work
c. ambulating
d. minor health counseling
ANS: B
Indirect care activities are those that are needed to support patients, but may require incidental direct
contact with patients. Indirect care tasks that the RN can delegate to Nursing Assistive Personnel
(NAP) tend to pertain to “unit routines” such as stocking supplies, clerical work, and housekeeping
activities. Direct care tasks are those that are performed directly to the patient such as assessment,
evaluation, and treatments. Some direct care tasks that may be delegated to NAP include: feeding,
ambulating, toileting, and dressing.
PTS: 1 DIF: Application TOP: Delegated Activities
10. Four basic skills have been noted for critical thinking. Which of the following is not necessarily one of
these skills?
a. critical reading
b. critical listening
c. critical negotiation
d. critical writing
