In delegation, who remains accountable for the task?

• A. The delegating nurse's supervisor
• B. The registered nurse (RN)
• C. The patient
• D. The delegatee

Answer: (B)

The key idea is accountability in delegation. In nursing, the nurse who delegates a task remains responsible for the patient’s safety and the overall outcomes of care. Even when someone else performs the task, the delegating RN must ensure that the task is appropriate for the patient, within the delegatee’s scope, and that the person is competent to do it. Clear instructions, proper supervision, and follow-up are the RN’s duties, and if anything goes wrong or safety is at risk, the RN must address and rectify it. The delegatee is responsible for performing the task correctly and following instructions, but the ultimate responsibility for the patient’s outcome rests with the RN. The patient is the recipient of care, not the one accountable for how the task is carried out, and the supervisor’s role is oversight rather than direct accountability for the delegated task’s outcome.