Can a nurse accept delegation from a physician assistant to perform a controlled act?

The correct answer indicates that a nurse can only accept delegation from a regulated health professional who has the authority to delegate controlled acts. In the context of healthcare, controlled acts are specific acts defined by legislation that healthcare providers can perform based on their training, expertise, and legal authority.

It is essential to note that physician assistants are regulated health professionals, but their authority to delegate certain acts is limited compared to that of physicians or other healthcare providers with broader scopes of practice. Thus, nurses must adhere to the regulations governing their practice, which stipulate they can only accept such delegations from professionals who hold the necessary statutory authority to ensure patient safety and uphold standards of care.

Understanding this hierarchy of authority is crucial for nurses to operate within legal limits and protect themselves and their patients from potential legal ramifications. While it may seem practical or convenient in some scenarios for a nurse to perform a task delegated by a physician assistant, doing so could violate regulatory frameworks that are in place to safeguard effective and safe healthcare delivery.