Nurse delegation is required when the caregiver must perform the last step of medication administration — meaning the caregiver is the one who gets the medication where it needs to go.
Oral medications
The caregiver has to place the medication into the client's mouth. The client cannot do this step themselves.
Topical medications
The caregiver applies the cream, ointment, patch, or powder directly to the client's skin.
Nasal spray or inhaler
The caregiver pushes the canister down to release the medication into the client's nose or airway.
Eye / ear drops
The caregiver administers the drops directly into the client's eye or ear.
Blood sugar monitoring or insulin
The caregiver punctures the skin for glucose testing or injects insulin subcutaneously.
Client has dementia or cognitive impairment
The client is unaware they are taking medication, or does not know how or when to ask for their as-needed medications.
No delegation needed if: the client can perform the last step themselves and is aware they are taking medication. Examples: reminding a client to take their pills, handing them a cup of water, or crushing a pill the client then swallows on their own.