What type of tasks are most appropriately delegated to assistive personnel (AP)?

The appropriate delegation of tasks to assistive personnel (AP) is critical for ensuring that patient care is both efficient and safe. Tasks that are most suitable for delegation often include those that do not require complex clinical judgment or significant nursing assessment.

Activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and ambulating clients, fall within this category, as they typically do not require the AP to have advanced clinical knowledge. These tasks can be completed safely and effectively by assistive personnel under the supervision of licensed nursing staff. Delegating these responsibilities allows licensed nurses to focus on higher-level nursing tasks that require critical thinking and clinical expertise.

In contrast, medication administration, client education, and care of unstable clients are tasks that necessitate specialized knowledge and skills. Medication administration involves understanding the pharmacokinetics of drugs, recognizing potential side effects, and monitoring patient responses, which requires a licensed nurse's oversight. Client education demands a comprehensive understanding of the information and the ability to respond to patient queries effectively, which is typically beyond the scope of training for assistive personnel. Additionally, unstable clients require constant assessment and potentially quick interventions that must be handled by professional nursing staff.