Which task can be delegated to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

The task of obtaining vital signs on the resident is appropriate for delegation to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) because it falls within their scope of training and practice. Vital signs measurement, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, is considered a basic nursing task that does not require specialized nursing judgment, assessment skills, or critical thinking. UAP are typically trained to accurately measure these parameters and report their findings to the licensed nurse, who can then interpret the data and make further decisions about patient care.

Delegating the task of obtaining vital signs allows licensed nurses to focus on more complex aspects of patient care that require their expertise, such as assessment and planning, while ensuring that routine monitoring is still effectively managed. This delegation is guided by the principles of teamwork and the efficient use of healthcare resources within a skilled care unit.