What must a nurse obtain in addition to an order to perform a controlled act?

To perform a controlled act, a nurse must obtain a delegation to ensure that they are legally permitted to carry out that specific medical procedure or treatment. Delegation refers to the process whereby a regulated health professional who is authorized to perform a controlled act delegates that responsibility to another qualified individual. In the context of nursing practice, this allows nurses to operate within their scope of practice and align with legal and professional standards.

In addition to receiving a specific order to perform a controlled act, which might come from a physician or other healthcare provider, delegation confirms that the nurse has the required knowledge, skills, and judgment to perform that act safely and effectively. This is vital in maintaining patient safety and ensuring that the nurse works within the parameters set by regulatory bodies.

Other options, while important in certain contexts, do not fulfill the legal requirement needed in addition to an order for performing a controlled act. For example, obtaining verbal consent from the patient is certainly an important aspect of patient-centered care and ethics, but it does not replace the necessity of having a formal delegation. Similarly, written confirmation from the doctor might serve as a supporting document but is not a requirement; the crucial factor is having the delegation to perform the act. Lastly, while a competency assessment can enhance a nurse