Which two tasks can nurses NEVER delegate?

• A. Medication administration and evaluation
• B. Teaching and assessment
• C. Documentation and monitoring
• D. Patient education and care planning

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is that some nursing tasks require independent professional judgment and accountability that cannot be shifted to others. Teaching and assessment fit this requirement because they involve deciding what the patient needs to learn, tailoring information to the individual, and evaluating whether learning and understanding have occurred. When you teach, you’re not just delivering facts—you’re assessing the patient’s baseline knowledge, learning needs, and readiness, and you must ensure comprehension and safety. When you assess, you’re interpreting data, forming nursing judgments, and determining the next steps in the care plan; that interpretive work cannot be delegated to someone without nursing authority.

Other tasks can be delegated under proper supervision and within scope, such as routine data collection or monitoring, but the responsibility for making clinical judgments and providing individualized education remains with the nurse.