Leadership & Delegation Made Easy for the NCLEX

Why NCLEX delegation matters

NCLEX delegation checks whether you can keep patients safe while using your team’s skills wisely. Done well, delegation improves efficiency, frees RNs for assessment/teaching/evaluation, and builds team confidence. Done poorly, it risks errors, scope violations, and point losses on the exam.

See also on Nurseclex: Leadership & Management, Analysis & Prioritization, Item Types (NGN), Therapeutic Communication, Study Plans, Signup 

Who does what: RN vs LPN vs UAP (scope snapshot)

Getting NCLEX delegation right starts with scope:

• RN — Assess, teach, evaluate, and plan care. Handles unstable patients, complex judgment, initial teaching, and IV pushes per policy.

• LPN/LVN — Cares for stable clients with predictable outcomes, gives many meds (IV pushes vary by policy/state), does wound care, collects data to report to the RN.

• UAP/CNA — ADLs, hygiene, feeding if safe, vital signs for stable clients, ambulation/positioning, simple specimen collection.

NCLEX rule of thumb: Do not delegate assessment, teaching, or evaluation (RN-only). Keep unstable or newly admitted clients with the RN.

The 5 Rights of Delegation (safe NCLEX framework)

Anchor your NCLEX delegation answers to these five checks:

1. Right Task — Is it appropriate to delegate (e.g., ADLs, routine vitals for stable clients)?

2. Right Circumstance — Is the patient stable and the setting safe?

3. Right Person — Is the delegatee trained/competent for this task (UAP vs LPN)?

4. Right Direction/Communication — Provide clear, specific instructions (what, when, parameters to report).

5. Right Supervision/Evaluation — Follow up, evaluate outcomes, and give feedback.

Download: NCLEX Delegation Cheat Sheet (PDF) 

What to delegate (and what to keep)

Delegate non-complex, routine, stable tasks:

• UAP/CNA: Stable vitals, bathing/grooming/feeding, ambulation, I&O, positioning, linen changes, routine specimen collection (urine/stool).

• LPN/LVN: Routine meds (per policy), wound care, sterile dressings, trach care for stable patients, data collection with report to RN.

Keep with the RN: Initial assessment, first post-op assessment, new admission teaching, discharge teaching, care plan changes, IV pushes (policy-dependent), any unstable client or rapid change in condition.

Frequent NCLEX delegation pitfalls (avoid these)

• Assigning unstable patients to UAPs or LPNs.

• Delegating assessment, teaching, or evaluation.

• Overloading staff without considering acuity or time.

• Vague instructions (no parameters for when to report).

• No follow-up or supervision after delegation.

Reinforce with: Leadership & Management • Analysis & Prioritization • Item Types (NGN) (link to /homeblogs/)

Mini NCLEX practice (leadership & delegation)

Q1. Which task is appropriate to delegate to a UAP for a stable post-op day-2 client?
A. Reinforce use of incentive spirometer
B. Ambulate the client in the hallway with gait belt ✅
C. Evaluate incision for signs of infection
D. Teach coughing and deep breathing
Why: UAP can ambulate a stable client with safety equipment. Teaching/evaluating stays with the RN.

Q2. The RN on a med-surg unit should assign which client to the LPN?
A. New admission with chest pain
B. Stable client 3 days post-op needing wound dressing changes ✅
C. Client receiving first dose of IV antibiotic with history of anaphylaxis
D. Unstable GI bleed on rapid transfusion
Why: LPN cares for stable clients with predictable outcomes; new/unstable clients stay with the RN.

Q3. Which instruction best reflects the Right Direction/Communication when delegating to a UAP?
A. “Get vitals.”
B. “Take vitals on room 204 now; report if SBP < 100 or HR > 110.” ✅
C. “Can you handle vitals for me?”
D. “Do vitals for the morning group.”
Why: Clear, specific parameters (what/when/when to report) demonstrate NCLEX delegation best practices.

Q4. After delegating morning care to a UAP, what is the best RN action?
A. Document that care was completed
B. Ask the UAP to teach peri-care
C. Verify results, evaluate client response, and provide feedback ✅
D. Move on to a different unit
Why: Right Supervision/Evaluation requires follow-up and outcome review.

More practice: NCLEX Delegation Practice Questions 

NCLEX tips for leadership & delegation

• Use ABCs and Maslow to keep high-risk clients with the RN.

• Match task complexity to the Right Person (RN vs LPN vs UAP).

• For NCLEX delegation, answer for the step you’re in: clarify, delegate, then supervise.

• When unsure, default to patient safety and scope laws/policies.

Explore next: Analysis & Prioritization, Therapeutic Communication, Item Types (NGN), Study Plans, Signup 

Final thoughts

Mastering NCLEX delegation means knowing scope, applying the 5 Rights, and avoiding common traps. Use clear instructions, supervise outcomes, and keep high-acuity tasks with the RN. You’ll protect patients—and your points—on leadership items.

For more high-yield NCLEX tips, visit the Nurseclex NCLEX Blog