Scope Of Practice Quiz: Who Can Do What?

1. Which of the following best defines scope of practice?

The range of duties and responsibilities a professional is legally and ethically authorized to perform

All tasks a professional wants to perform regardless of training

Tasks assigned by management without regard to qualifications

The amount of time spent on clinical duties

2. A nurse delegates a wound assessment to a nursing assistant. What is the primary concern with this delegation?

Wound assessment exceeds the scope of practice for nursing assistants

The task is too simple for a nurse to delegate

Nursing assistants are not paid enough for this task

The nurse is trying to reduce their own workload

3. Which factor is most important when determining if a task can be delegated?

How busy the delegating professional currently is

Whether the delegate has the knowledge, skill, and competency for the task

The personal preference of the delegate

The cost savings from delegation

4. A physician asks a medical assistant to perform a procedure that is outside the assistant's training. What should the assistant do?

Perform the procedure to show willingness

Politely decline and explain it is outside their scope of practice

Ask a colleague to do it instead

Perform the procedure without documentation

5. Scope of practice is determined by all of the following EXCEPT:

State licensure laws and regulations

Professional organization standards

Individual preferences of the professional

Employer policies and job descriptions

6. When delegating tasks, the delegating professional retains responsibility for:

Only the tasks they personally complete

Ensuring appropriate delegation and outcomes of delegated tasks

Tasks performed by other professionals regardless of delegation

Nothing once the task is delegated

7. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) can legally perform which of the following?

Diagnose patient conditions

Prescribe medications

Administer medications under physician supervision

Perform independent surgical procedures

8. Which situation represents an appropriate use of delegation?

A nurse asks an untrained staff member to start an IV

A physician asks a trained nurse to collect vital signs and report findings

A manager asks an employee to perform duties in an unfamiliar department

A supervisor assigns complex analysis to staff without relevant education

9. What is a key difference between delegation and assignment?

Delegation transfers responsibility; assignment does not

Assignment is used only for lower-level staff

Delegation is permanent; assignment is temporary

There is no meaningful difference

10. A pharmacist is asked to perform a nursing task. Why might this be inappropriate even if the pharmacist has the knowledge?

It is outside the pharmacist's scope of practice

Pharmacists are always too busy

The task is beneath a pharmacist's education level

It violates professional hierarchy rules

11. Which of the following is a legal consequence of practicing outside one's scope of practice?

Loss of professional license or certification

Mandatory salary increase

Automatic promotion to management

Guaranteed job security

12. A supervisor observes a staff member regularly performing tasks outside their job description. What action should the supervisor take?

Ignore it since the work is getting done

Address it immediately to prevent liability and safety issues

Wait for a formal complaint before intervening

Give the employee a raise for extra effort

13. Scope of practice protects patients primarily by:

Limiting the number of tasks each professional performs

Ensuring that only qualified individuals perform specific tasks

Reducing the overall cost of healthcare services

Increasing the number of staff in each department

14. A dental hygienist is asked to perform a procedure that is typically done by a dentist. The hygienist should:

Perform it if the patient requests it

Check their state laws and professional standards before proceeding

Always refuse regardless of circumstances

Ask the patient if they think it is appropriate

15. Which document most clearly defines a professional's scope of practice?

The employee handbook

State licensure laws and professional standards

Social media guidelines

Personal career goals

Scope of Practice Quiz: Who Can Do What?