Which statement accurately describes the nurse's accountability when tasks are delegated to assistive personnel?

DELEGATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY is a critically tested NCLEX concept that many candidates confuse. THE CORE PRINCIPLE: Delegation transfers the RESPONSIBILITY for performing the specific task to the delegatee. Delegation does NOT transfer the RN's ACCOUNTABILITY for the overall care outcomes, supervision, and management of that care. THE DISTINCTION: RESPONSIBILITY = the obligation to perform the task; the UAP is now responsible for doing the task and doing it correctly; ACCOUNTABILITY = answerability for the overall outcome; the RN remains accountable because: the RN made the delegation decision; the RN is legally responsible for all care provided to the patient; the state nurse practice act makes the delegating RN accountable for appropriate delegation; the RN must verify competency of the delegate, provide clear instructions, and monitor outcomes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: If a UAP improperly performs a delegated task and the patient is harmed, the UAP bears responsibility for the performance failure AND the RN may be held accountable for: delegating inappropriately; failing to properly instruct; failing to supervise or check back; failing to reassess after delegation. THE NURSING PROCESS CANNOT BE DELEGATED: The RN cannot delegate assessment, nursing diagnosis, care planning, or evaluation to unlicensed personnel — these require professional nursing judgment and are the direct source of the RN's accountability. NCSBN DEFINITION: 'Delegation is defined as the transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another while retaining accountability for the outcome.'