Distinguish between delegation and assignment in nursing practice and provide an example for each.

• A. Delegation transfers responsibility for a task while accountability remains with the RN; assignment gives both responsibility and authority to another staff member. Example: Delegating a wound dressing to an LPN with supervision; assigning a routine vital signs task to a CNA.
• B. Delegation transfers accountability; assignment transfers none.
• C. Delegation transfers responsibility for a task; assignment transfers accountability.
• D. Delegation and assignment are the same.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how tasks are handed off in nursing: who actually performs the work and who stays responsible for the outcome. In delegation, the nurse hands off the task to another competent staff member to perform, but the original nurse remains accountable for the result. The person taking on the task has the responsibility to execute it, yet the delegating nurse keeps the overall accountability for patient care.

That’s why delegating a wound dressing to an LPN with supervision fits: the LPN performs the task, but the RN is still answerable for how the wound care is done and for the patient’s condition. For assignment, the idea is moving the task along to another staff member who then has the responsibility and authority to carry it out in this context, which in the example is giving routine vital signs to a CNA. The CNA takes on those routine measurements as part of their duties, while the RN retains responsibility for the patient's overall care and supervision.

In short, delegation transfers the task while the RN stays accountable; assignment transfers both responsibility and authority for the task to another staff member.