A patient has newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Which task should you delegate to a UAP?

• A. Arranging a consult with the dietitian
• B. Assessing the patient's insulin injection technique
• C. Teaching the patient to use a glucometer to monitor glucose at home
• D. Reminding the patient to check glucose level before each meal

Answer: (D)

Delegation works by assigning tasks that stay within the UAP’s scope—routine, non‑clinical tasks and data collection—while preserving nursing judgment for assessment, teaching, and care coordination.

Reminding the patient to check glucose before each meal fits this scope. It’s a simple, repetitive cue that supports the patient’s self-management without involving interpretation of glucose results, nursing assessment, or making clinical decisions. The nurse remains responsible for reviewing readings, interpreting them, and deciding on any necessary actions.

The other options require professional expertise: arranging a consult with the dietitian involves care coordination and scheduling with knowledge of the patient’s needs; assessing insulin injection technique requires clinical judgment and skills; teaching the patient how to use a glucometer involves instruction, ensuring competency, and tailoring education to the patient’s learning needs. These are beyond what a UAP should perform.