Directions given from a nurse to an unlicensed assistive personnel should be:

Directions given from a nurse to an unlicensed assistive personnel should be:

• A. Specific and explicit
• B. Vague and general
• C. Verbal only
• D. Not repeated

Answer: (B)

Clear, explicit directions are essential when delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel to ensure patient safety and accurate task completion. The nurse should specify exactly what needs to be done, how to do it, when to perform it, and what outcomes to expect. Instructions should include any safety steps, specific signs or changes to monitor, and precisely when to report back or seek help. Written guidance or checklists can reinforce what’s verbal, and asking the UAP to repeat back what was asked helps confirm understanding. This level of detail minimizes misinterpretation, reduces the chance of errors, and supports safe, consistent care. Vague and general directions leave too much room for misinterpretation and can lead to mistakes in how tasks are carried out. Relying on verbal communication alone can result in important details being forgotten, and not having the instructions repeated or confirmed increases the risk of miscommunication and unsafe care.

Clear, explicit directions are essential when delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel to ensure patient safety and accurate task completion. The nurse should specify exactly what needs to be done, how to do it, when to perform it, and what outcomes to expect. Instructions should include any safety steps, specific signs or changes to monitor, and precisely when to report back or seek help. Written guidance or checklists can reinforce what’s verbal, and asking the UAP to repeat back what was asked helps confirm understanding. This level of detail minimizes misinterpretation, reduces the chance of errors, and supports safe, consistent care.

Vague and general directions leave too much room for misinterpretation and can lead to mistakes in how tasks are carried out. Relying on verbal communication alone can result in important details being forgotten, and not having the instructions repeated or confirmed increases the risk of miscommunication and unsafe care.