Chart — NCLEX Success
Delegation Decision Chart
A task-by-task comparison of nursing delegation — who can perform what across RN, LPN/LVN, and UAP/CNA roles. Use this chart for rapid NCLEX reference and clinical decision-making.
Educational use only. Scope of practice varies by state nurse practice act and facility policy. The RN retains accountability for all delegated tasks. Always follow your institution's delegation policies and state practice guidelines. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
Assessment & Data Collection
| Task | RN | LPN/LVN | UAP/CNA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial nursing assessment (new admission) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focused assessment / shift assessment | ✓ | ~ Under supervision | ✗ |
| Vital signs — stable patient | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vital signs — unstable patient | ✓ | ~ Close supervision | ✗ |
| Intake and output measurement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specimen collection (urine, stool) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blood glucose monitoring (point-of-care) | ✓ | ✓ | ~ With facility training |
Medication Administration
| Task | RN | LPN/LVN | UAP/CNA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral medications — stable patient | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| IM / SQ injections | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| IV push medications | ✓ | ✗ Most states | ✗ |
| Blood / blood products administration | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| High-alert medications (insulin, heparin, opioids) | ✓ | ~ Under supervision | ✗ |
| Titrating IV vasoactive drips | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Controlled substance administration | ✓ | ~ Facility-dependent | ✗ |
Education, Planning & Evaluation
| Task | RN | LPN/LVN | UAP/CNA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial patient / family teaching | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Reinforcing established teaching | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Nursing care plan development | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Evaluating patient outcomes / care effectiveness | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Receiving verbal / telephone orders | ✓ | ~ Varies by state | ✗ |
Clinical Care & Routine Tasks
| Task | RN | LPN/LVN | UAP/CNA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal hygiene / bathing / oral care | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ambulation — stable patient | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Positioning and turning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Feeding stable patients (no swallowing concerns) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foley catheter insertion | ✓ | ~ Varies by state | ✗ |
| Routine wound dressing change (healing wound) | ✓ | ✓ | ~ Non-sterile, facility-specific |
| Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complex / sterile wound care (non-healing wound) | ✓ | ~ Routine/data only | ✗ |
| Nasogastric tube insertion | ✓ | ~ Varies by state | ✗ |
✓ Appropriate — within scope, may be delegated | ~ Restricted / situational — depends on state, facility, or patient stability | ✗ Cannot perform — outside scope
NCLEX Delegation Rules at a Glance
- Assessment, care planning, teaching, evaluation = RN only
- Stable, predictable patients with routine tasks = appropriate for LPN or UAP
- Unstable, newly admitted, or complex patients = RN care
- UAPs collect data; RNs interpret data — never delegate clinical interpretation
- IV push and blood products = RN only (LPN/LVNs cannot give IV push in most states)
- LPN/LVNs can reinforce established teaching but cannot perform initial patient education — that requires the RN
- The RN always retains accountability regardless of who performs the task
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with NCSBN Five Rights of Delegation. It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →