If the nurse needs to delegate a task in order to work on another ...

[Anajune7]

If the nurse needs to delegate a task in order to work on another nursing responsibility, which characteristic must be present? Select all that apply.
 
  1. Authority by the delegator to assign the task to the delegate
   2. Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegator
   3. Responsibility for task completion on the part of the delegate
   4. Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegate
   5. Authority of the delegate to accomplish the task as assigned

Question 2

The nursing supervisor is assessing the organization by spending time on each unit. The nurse manager seems overwhelmed and stressed trying to address many client complaints. The charge nurse is trying to help everyone at once.
 
  What might this supervisor conclude based on this assessment? Select all that apply.
 
   1. The unit culture fosters distrust and poor communication among staff.
   2. The unit has had several call-ins, or is short-staffed.
   3. Delegation is seen as too time-consuming to undertake.
   4. The nurse manager is inexperienced, and needs time to adjust.
   5. Nurses on the unit are in need of additional training and skills.

[Edwyer]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1; 2; 3; 5
Rationale:
 Authority by the delegator to assign the task to the delegate: The delegator is the individual requesting the task completion of the delegate. Thus the delegator must have authority to make the request.
 Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegator: The delegator has ultimate accountability for appropriate task completion and for effectively delegating appropriate tasks to others.
 Responsibility for task completion on the part of the delegate: Once the task is assigned to the delegate, he has responsibility for effective and appropriate task completion.
 Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegate: While the delegate does have accountability for completion of the task, the ultimate accountability for the end product of the task completion is on the part of the delegator, not the delegate.
 Authority of the delegate to accomplish the task as assigned: Effective delegators transfer authority to the delegate to empower the delegate for success.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1; 3; 5
Rationale:
 The unit culture fosters distrust and poor communication among staff. The unit clearly is having problems getting client responsibilities completed in a timely manner, resulting in stress and complaints. This could indicate a distrusting unit culture.
 The unit has had several call-ins, or is short-staffed. There is no indication the unit is short-staffed or has experienced call-ins.
 Delegation is seen as too time-consuming to undertake. The nurses on the unit might need additional training to understand delegation and its advantages.
 The nurse manager is inexperienced, and needs time to adjust. There is no indication the nurse manager is inexperienced.
 Nurses on the unit are in need of additional training and skills. The supervisor's assessment might indicate additional training and skills are needed, in delegation and unit skill requirements.