What is defined as the authority to perform a nursing task?

The correct answer is delegation, as it specifically refers to the process of assigning responsibility for a task to another individual while maintaining accountability for that task. In nursing, delegation is a critical component of practice, as it involves the transfer of authority to perform nursing tasks, allowing tasks to be carried out by licensed or unlicensed personnel under specific conditions.

In this context, delegation not only involves the act of assigning tasks but also requires the delegator to ensure that the person receiving the task has the appropriate skills and training to perform it safely and effectively. This concept is essential in healthcare settings, where teamwork is vital, and nurses often need to rely on the support of nursing assistants or other team members to provide comprehensive patient care.

Other options like supervision, assessment, and administration do not encapsulate the authority aspect in the same way that delegation does. Supervision implies overseeing the performance of tasks, assessment involves evaluating patient conditions, and administration pertains to the actual process of giving medications or treatments. While each of these concepts is important in nursing, none specifically denotes the authority to assign tasks to others, which is the essence of delegation.