An LPN is asked to delegate a task to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is APPROPRIATE to delegate?

DELEGATION PRINCIPLES for LPN/LVN: The LPN/LVN may delegate tasks to UAPs (nursing assistants, patient care technicians, aides) that are within the UAP's scope of training and the state practice act, AND that fall within the 'routine care' category. DELEGATION DECISION FRAMEWORK — consider: (1) TASK: is it a task that requires nursing judgment, assessment, or professional decision-making? (No = potentially delegatable); (2) STABILITY of the client: stable clients with predictable conditions are better candidates for delegation; (3) SETTING: some settings have more specific delegation rules; (4) COMPETENCY of the UAP: has the UAP been trained in this task? APPROPRIATE TASKS FOR UAP DELEGATION: vital signs measurement and recording (stable clients); bathing, grooming, hygiene care; ambulation assistance; feeding (for clients not at aspiration risk); intake/output measurement; specimen collection (urine, stool, sputum where non-invasive); bed making; transport (stable clients). NOT APPROPRIATE TO DELEGATE: (1) MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION — in most states, UAPs cannot administer medications; LPNs may delegate limited medication administration in specific settings with training (this varies by state); (2) CATHETER INSERTION — invasive procedure requiring nursing training; (3) PATIENT TEACHING — education requires professional nursing judgment; UAPs can reinforce teaching but cannot independently teach. CRITICAL NOTE: The LPN/LVN CANNOT independently delegate tasks that exceed the LPN's OWN SCOPE — if the LPN cannot do something (e.g., certain assessments or complex care), the LPN also cannot delegate it. Delegation is RETAINED responsibility — the LPN remains accountable for monitoring outcomes of delegated tasks and must report concerns to the RN.