When a nurse manager transfers the task of caring for a client who had an appendectomy to a registered nurse (RN), which element of the health care system does the RN practice?

When a nurse manager transfers the task of caring for a client who had an appendectomy to a registered nurse (RN), which element of the health care system does the RN practice?

• A. Delegation
• B. Coordination
• C. Assignment
• D. Consultation

Answer: (C)

In this scenario, when a nurse manager transfers the task of caring for a client who had an appendectomy to a registered nurse (RN), it exemplifies the concept of assignment within the healthcare system. Assignment refers to the delegation of specific responsibilities or tasks to another professional who is qualified to perform them. In this case, the nurse manager is assigning the care of a patient to an RN, who has the appropriate training and expertise to take on this responsibility. This action is distinct from delegation, which involves transferring both the responsibility and the authority for a task while retaining accountability. Coordination would imply that the RN is managing the various aspects of care across different healthcare providers, and consultation involves offering expert advice or services regarding a patient’s care but does not imply a transfer of task responsibility. Assigning the task ensures that patient care is continuous and managed by someone equipped to handle it, thereby supporting effective patient outcomes.

In this scenario, when a nurse manager transfers the task of caring for a client who had an appendectomy to a registered nurse (RN), it exemplifies the concept of assignment within the healthcare system. Assignment refers to the delegation of specific responsibilities or tasks to another professional who is qualified to perform them. In this case, the nurse manager is assigning the care of a patient to an RN, who has the appropriate training and expertise to take on this responsibility.

This action is distinct from delegation, which involves transferring both the responsibility and the authority for a task while retaining accountability. Coordination would imply that the RN is managing the various aspects of care across different healthcare providers, and consultation involves offering expert advice or services regarding a patient’s care but does not imply a transfer of task responsibility. Assigning the task ensures that patient care is continuous and managed by someone equipped to handle it, thereby supporting effective patient outcomes.