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NCLEX · Delegation and Assignment

A charge nurse is making client assignments. Which client should be assigned to the most experienced registered nurse?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

An unstable client requiring frequent assessment and complex care

  1. A A stable client awaiting discharge
  2. B A client with stable chronic conditions
  3. C An unstable client requiring frequent assessment and complex care
  4. D A client needing assistance with morning hygiene

Why this is the answer

The MOST EXPERIENCED/skilled RN should be assigned the UNSTABLE client requiring frequent assessment, complex care, and clinical judgment — because this client has the greatest risk and the most unpredictable needs. NCLEX safe care/management of care.

Principle: match the acuity and complexity of the client to the competency of the caregiver — the sickest, least stable, most complex clients go to the most qualified nurses; stable, predictable clients (awaiting discharge, stable chronic conditions, needing routine care) can be assigned to less experienced staff or have aspects delegated to UAP. Appropriate assignment based on client acuity and staff competency protects client safety and is a tested NCLEX delegation/assignment concept.

Source: NCLEX Safe Care — Client Assignment by Acuity

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About this topic: Delegation and Assignment

Delegation and assignment questions cover the five rights of delegation, what can be delegated to LPNs and assistive personnel, what cannot, and how to supervise and evaluate delegated care. This is one of 8 RN: Safe and Effective Care Environment questions on delegation and assignment, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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Which of the following tasks can an RN appropriately delegate to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

State-specific guides

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Recommended study materials

Study guide

Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN 9th Ed. (Elsevier)

The gold standard for NCLEX-RN prep: 5,200+ practice questions, content review, test-taking strategy.

Check Price → Study guide

NCLEX-PN Prep Plus (Kaplan)

Targeted NCLEX-PN content review with hundreds of practice questions and video explanations.

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Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment (Elsevier)

The leading resource for NCLEX questions on prioritization, delegation, and management of care.

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