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.
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Practice 33 NCLEX-style questions
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Side-by-side3 compared
Focus
Comparevs
Dimension
RN
LPN / LVN
UAP / CNA
Assessment
- ★Performs & interprets
- Initial assessment: RN only
- Focused data collection
- Checks lung sounds, wounds (stable)
- Measures routine VS, I&O, weight
- Reports observations to nurse
Patient teaching
- Initial & discharge teaching
- Reinforces RN teaching
- No teaching or reinforcement
- Reminds of instructions only
Care planning / evaluation
- Creates, modifies & evaluates the plan
- Contributes data to the care plan
- No role in care planning
Medication administration
- All routes, incl. IV push
- PO, IM, subQ to stable patients
- Cannot administer medications
IV therapy & blood
- ★IV push, titration, blood products
- Monitors IV site & rate for RN
- No IV or transfusion tasks
Patient acuity
- Unstable, unpredictable, newly admitted
- Stable patients needing skilled care
- Stable patients needing ADL help
Typical delegated tasks
- Delegates to LPN & UAP
- Retains accountability
- Routine dressing changes
- Stable chronic trach care
- Urinary catheter insertion
- Bathing, feeding, toileting
- Ambulating, turning, positioning
Assessment
RN
- ★Performs & interprets
- Initial assessment: RN only
LPN / LVN
- Focused data collection
- Checks lung sounds, wounds (stable)
Patient teaching
RN
- Initial & discharge teaching
LPN / LVN
- Reinforces RN teaching
Care planning / evaluation
RN
- Creates, modifies & evaluates the plan
LPN / LVN
- Contributes data to the care plan
Medication administration
RN
- All routes, incl. IV push
LPN / LVN
- PO, IM, subQ to stable patients
IV therapy & blood
RN
- ★IV push, titration, blood products
LPN / LVN
- Monitors IV site & rate for RN
Patient acuity
RN
- Unstable, unpredictable, newly admitted
LPN / LVN
- Stable patients needing skilled care
Typical delegated tasks
RN
- Delegates to LPN & UAP
- Retains accountability
LPN / LVN
- Routine dressing changes
- Stable chronic trach care
- Urinary catheter insertion
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Clinical Pearl
If the task requires clinical judgment — assess, teach, evaluate, or unstable — it stays with the RN.
Component Topics
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Go further
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