Which nursing care delivery method is defined as task-oriented and cost-effective, often involving unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

The method characterized as task-oriented and cost-effective, frequently involving unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), is functional nursing. This approach divides nursing tasks among team members based on their specific responsibilities rather than providing holistic care for each patient. In functional nursing, tasks such as bathing, medication administration, and vital sign monitoring may be assigned to UAPs or LPNs under the supervision of registered nurses. This can result in increased efficiency and decreased labor costs, making it a suitable choice for healthcare settings with limited resources or high patient acuity.

By maximizing the use of UAPs for specific tasks, registered nurses can focus on more complex aspects of patient care, although this method can sometimes lead to fragmented care and reduced continuity for the patient. Understanding this delivery model is essential for nursing students, as it highlights the importance of teamwork and the appropriate delegation of tasks while ensuring patient safety and quality of care.