multi class comparison

Delegation Scope Matrix: RN vs LPN vs UAP — What Each Can and Cannot Do

Delegation questions appear repeatedly on the NCLEX, and the wrong answer usually means you gave assessment or teaching to someone without that scope. Over-delegating endangers the patient; under-delegating wastes resources and signals you don't understand the RN leadership role.

Master this comparison — play it or drill it.

Play the gamePractice questions on this

Practice 21 NCLEX-style questions

Practice now

Cheat sheet

Quick reference

Next up+10 XP

Comparison

Side-by-side3 compared
Comparevs
Dimension
RN
LPN / LVN
UAP / CNA
Assessment
  • ★Performs & interprets
  • cannot delegate
  • Collects data only
  • does not interpret
  • Cannot assess
  • reports observations to RN
Patient teaching
  • Develops & delivers all education
  • May reinforce teaching the RN started
  • Cannot teach
  • may remind of instructions
Care planning / evaluation
  • Creates, modifies & evaluates the plan
  • Contributes data
  • cannot create or revise
  • No role in care planning
Medication administration
  • All routes
  • PO / routine meds to stable patients
  • Cannot administer medications
IV therapy & blood
  • ★Starts IV, pushes meds, titrates, gives blood
  • May monitor IV
  • cannot push, titrate, or hang blood
  • No IV or transfusion tasks
Patient acuity
  • Unstable, unpredictable, newly admitted
  • Stable, predictable patients
  • ADLs on stable patients only
Typical delegated tasks
  • Delegates to LPN & UAP
  • retains accountability
  • Routine dressings
  • stable chronic trach care
  • Bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, I&O
Assessment

RN

  • ★Performs & interprets
  • cannot delegate

LPN / LVN

  • Collects data only
  • does not interpret
Patient teaching

RN

  • Develops & delivers all education

LPN / LVN

  • May reinforce teaching the RN started
Care planning / evaluation

RN

  • Creates, modifies & evaluates the plan

LPN / LVN

  • Contributes data
  • cannot create or revise
Medication administration

RN

  • All routes

LPN / LVN

  • PO / routine meds to stable patients
IV therapy & blood

RN

  • ★Starts IV, pushes meds, titrates, gives blood

LPN / LVN

  • May monitor IV
  • cannot push, titrate, or hang blood
Patient acuity

RN

  • Unstable, unpredictable, newly admitted

LPN / LVN

  • Stable, predictable patients
Typical delegated tasks

RN

  • Delegates to LPN & UAP
  • retains accountability

LPN / LVN

  • Routine dressings
  • stable chronic trach care

★ marks the fact that sets a column apart.

Clinical Pearl

If the task requires clinical judgment — assess, teach, evaluate, or unstable — it stays with the RN.

Component Topics

RN vs LPN/LVN Scope of PracticeUAP/CNA — What Can & Cannot Be Delegated

Ready to master this comparison?

Get a personalized study plan built around this topic — free to try, no card needed.

Play the gamePractice questions on this
See all Leadership & Professional Practice topics