Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
The Registered Nurse holds authority to delegate tasks to RPNs/LPNs and unregulated care providers while retaining accountability for patient outcomes. Delegation is guided by the Five Rights: right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction, and right supervision. The charge nurse assigns patients to RNs and RPNs based on acuity, complexity, and required scope of practice. Nursing judgment, initial assessments, care planning, and evaluation cannot be delegated. Understanding delegation frameworks accounts for 15-25% of licensing exam questions.