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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Healthcare

Medication Delegation Knowledge Assessment Quiz

Sharpen Your Medication Delegation Skills Now

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a trivia quiz on Medication Delegation Knowledge Assessment

Ready to refine your delegation skills? This Medication Delegation Knowledge Assessment quiz empowers nurses to master task assignment confidently. Ideal for educators and healthcare professionals seeking to validate understanding, it can be freely modified in our editor. Explore related content like the Medication Safety Knowledge Assessment or try the Medication Management Knowledge Test for broader insights. Visit our quizzes section for more interactive knowledge assessments to boost your clinical expertise.

Which of the following is one of the five rights of delegation?
Right scheduling
Right documentation
Right location
Right person
Delegation includes five rights: right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction/communication, and right supervision/evaluation. Identifying the right person ensures the delegatee has the necessary skills. This principle supports patient safety.
Who retains accountability for a delegated medication task?
Certified nursing assistant
Registered nurse
Patient
Licensed practical nurse
Registered nurses maintain accountability for all aspects of nursing care, including tasks they delegate. Even when tasks are assigned to others, the RN is responsible for ensuring proper execution. This accountability cannot be transferred to others.
Which of the following actions should never be delegated by a registered nurse?
Measuring vital signs
Assisting with oral feeding
Administering IV push medication
Applying a non-sterile dressing
Administering IV push medications requires advanced assessment and clinical judgment, so it cannot be delegated. Registered nurses must perform high-risk medication administrations. Delegating such tasks would compromise patient safety.
To whom can a registered nurse legally delegate oral medication administration?
Unit clerk
Volunteer
Licensed practical nurse
Certified nursing assistant
Licensed practical nurses are trained and licensed to administer oral medications under RN supervision. Certified nursing assistants, unit clerks, and volunteers are not permitted to perform medication administration. This preserves safe practice standards.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five rights of delegation?
Right documentation
Right task
Right supervision
Right person
The five rights of delegation are task, circumstance, person, direction/communication, and supervision/evaluation. Right documentation is not one of these essential principles. Correctly identifying the five rights is foundational to safe delegation.
Under the Nurse Practice Act, which entity defines the scope of practice for nurses?
Joint Commission
Hospital Administration
State Board of Nursing
American Nurses Association
The State Board of Nursing enforces the Nurse Practice Act and defines the legal scope of nursing practice. Other organizations like the ANA set professional standards but not legal definitions. Knowing this distinction ensures regulatory compliance.
A registered nurse delegates the administration of an oral medication to a certified nursing assistant. This delegation is:
Inappropriate because CNAs cannot administer medications
Appropriate if supervised
Inappropriate only during emergencies
Appropriate if patient is stable
Certified nursing assistants are not licensed to administer medications in most jurisdictions. Delegating medication tasks to unlicensed personnel violates legal and ethical standards. Such delegation increases risk to patient safety.
A nurse delegates a routine dressing change to an LPN. The LPN has not performed this skill before. The greatest risk in this scenario is:
Patient refusal
Equipment failure
Medication error
Delegatee incompetence
If an LPN has not performed a dressing change before, this indicates a lack of competence assessment. Ensuring delegatee competence is critical to preventing errors. Delegation should only occur when the nurse is confident in the delegatee's skills.
Which step should the delegating nurse perform first in the delegation process?
Monitoring task completion
Documenting task
Assessment of patient and staff competence
Providing feedback
The first step in delegation is a thorough assessment of both patient needs and staff competencies. This ensures that tasks are matched appropriately and patient safety is maintained. Without proper assessment, delegation can lead to errors.
Which of the following is the best strategy to mitigate medication errors in a high-acuity unit?
Using standardized communication tools like SBAR
Increasing patient-to-nurse ratio
Eliminating double-check processes
Allowing unscheduled breaks
Standardized tools like SBAR provide a consistent framework for effective communication, reducing the likelihood of medication errors. Other options like eliminating double-checks or increasing ratios would likely increase risk. SBAR is evidence-based for improving safety.
Which ethical principle supports appropriate delegation to promote patient well-being?
Justice
Beneficence
Autonomy
Truthfulness
Beneficence refers to actions taken to benefit patients and promote their well-being. Delegating tasks to competent staff ensures patient care is performed safely. This ethical principle underpins decisions that protect patients.
What documentation is essential after a delegation decision?
Financial approval
Nursing performance review
Record of delegated task, person, and instructions
Only patient signature
Documenting the delegated task, the person assigned, and the instructions provided creates clear accountability. Without proper documentation, there may be confusion or errors. Accurate records also protect both patients and providers legally.
In analyzing risks in medication delegation, which factor is most critical?
Delegatee's competency level
Length of shift
Patient meal schedule
Brand of medication
Assessing the delegatee's competency level is vital because it directly affects task performance and patient safety. Other factors listed have little impact on delegation outcomes. Competency assessment is a core principle of safe delegation.
A nurse assigns medication reconciliation to a unit clerk. This is an example of:
Appropriate delegation
Autonomous decision making
Misdelegation
Patient refusal
Assigning specialized tasks like medication reconciliation to unlicensed staff is misdelegation. Only licensed nurses have the knowledge and authority to review and reconcile medications. Misdelegation can lead to serious errors and legal issues.
After delegating a task, the nurse must:
Complete unrelated tasks
Delegate more tasks without monitoring
Assume task is done correctly without feedback
Provide supervision and evaluation
After delegating, the nurse must provide supervision to monitor performance and evaluation to ensure tasks meet standards of care. Failing to follow up can result in errors or unmet patient needs. This step completes the delegation process.
In a root cause analysis of a medication error involving a delegated task, which contributing factor is most significant?
Medication cost
Inadequate assessment of delegatee competence
Room temperature
Patient age
One of the primary risk factors in delegation errors is inadequate assessment of the delegatee's competence. Without confirming skills and knowledge, the delegatee may perform tasks incorrectly. Addressing competence assessment is critical for preventing errors.
Which legal doctrine holds an employer or supervising professional liable for the actions of their employees or subordinates?
Habeas corpus
Respondeat superior
Stare decisis
Caveat emptor
Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine making supervisors or employers liable for the actions of their subordinates within the scope of their duties. It underscores the importance of proper supervision. Recognizing this liability motivates careful delegation.
When creating a delegation protocol to minimize risk, which element is most important?
Lengthy patient satisfaction surveys
Random shift rotations
Ongoing evaluation and feedback mechanisms
Discretionary overtime
Ongoing evaluation and feedback allow for continuous improvement and early detection of issues in delegated tasks. Protocols without follow-up are ineffective at preventing errors. This element is essential for maintaining safe delegation practices.
If a delegated staff member declines a task due to feeling incompetent, the nurse should:
Reassess and reassign tasks based on competence
Report the staff for insubordination
Ignore the refusal
Mandate the staff perform the task
When a staff member declines a task due to lack of competence, the nurse should reassess and reassign based on skills and training. Mandating performance can compromise safety and morale. Addressing refusals fosters a culture of safety and competence.
In a community clinic, which delegation arrangement is most appropriate?
RN delegates interpretation of lab results to LPN
RN delegates assessment of blood pressure to medical assistant with no training
RN delegates intramuscular vaccine administration to LPN
RN delegates patient education on new meds to UAP
LPNs are trained and licensed to administer intramuscular vaccines under RN supervision. Patient education and lab interpretation require higher-level nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to UAPs or untrained staff. Proper task assignment ensures safe and legal practice.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key principles of safe medication delegation
  2. Evaluate delegation scenarios for legal and ethical compliance
  3. Apply appropriate task assignment in nursing workflows
  4. Demonstrate understanding of delegation roles and responsibilities
  5. Analyze risk factors and propose mitigation strategies

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the Five Rights of Delegation - Delegation isn't just handing off tasks; it's about matching the right task to the right person under the right conditions. Master the Five Rights - Task, Circumstance, Person, Direction/Communication, and Supervision - to boost safety and efficiency in your practice. Five Rights of Delegation Guide
    2. mass.gov
  2. Recognize the Nurse's Accountability - Even when you delegate, you remain ultimately responsible for your patient's outcome. Understanding that accountability never leaves your hands encourages thoughtful, evidence-based delegation every time. Nurse Accountability Overview
    3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Assess Delegatee Competence - Before you pass off a task, check the delegatee's training, skill level, and comfort with the procedure. A quick skill assessment can prevent mistakes and ensure top-notch patient care. Delegatee Competence Checklist
    4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Adhere to Legal and Ethical Standards - Know your state Nurse Practice Act and facility policies like the back of your hand. Staying compliant protects patients, your license, and your professional integrity. ANA & NCSBN Delegation Position
    5. nursingworld.org
  5. Maintain Clear Communication - Crystal-clear instructions and feedback loops are your best friends when delegating. Confirm the who, what, when, where, and how to dodge misunderstandings and keep patient care on track. Effective Communication Tips
    6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Evaluate Patient Needs and Complexity - No two patients are the same; always weigh their condition and care complexity before delegating. This thoughtful evaluation ensures that tasks are safe and appropriate for each individual. Delegation Standards in Fundamentals
    7. openstax.org
  7. Implement Effective Supervision - Delegation isn't "set and forget." Provide ongoing oversight, be available for questions, and check in on progress to guarantee safe, quality outcomes. Supervision Strategies
    8. mass.gov
  8. Understand the Delegation Process - From assessing to assigning, supervising to evaluating, know each step in the delegation cycle. A clear process boosts teamwork, speeds up workflows, and enhances patient satisfaction. Delegation Process Steps
    9. ncsbn.org
  9. Recognize Tasks That Cannot Be Delegated - Certain duties, like initial assessments and care planning, must stay in the hands of licensed nurses. Spotting these "no-delegate" tasks keeps you in line with regulations and patient safety standards. Non-Delegable Tasks List
    10. openstax.org
  10. Engage in Continuous Learning - Healthcare evolves fast, so stay curious and up-to-date with the latest delegation research and guidelines. Your commitment to learning keeps your practice safe, fresh, and evidence-based. Advanced Delegation Resources
    11. ncsbn.org
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