Delegating personal care after a stroke
NZ nursing OSCE practice station
Clinical skills · 2 min to read · 8 min to perform
Rewi Parata, aged 77, had a stroke four days ago and has left-sided weakness.
Rewi ParataI can wash myself, you know. It's just this stupid arm.
Free · no sign-up · uses your one free station
Open the full station (charts, voice, result letter) →The task
You are the nurse on a stroke ward looking after several patients. Rewi Parata, aged 77, had a stroke four days ago and has left-sided weakness. He needs a wash and help to a chair. Mereana, a health care assistant, is available. Decide what you will ask her to do and what you will keep yourself. Give clear instructions, check that she is able and confident, say what to report back to you, and confirm the plan with Mr Parata. Use the ward folder provided for his needs.
What this station tests
- Delegate tasks, not accountability: the nurse remains responsible.
- Match the task to the person's competence and ask about confidence and sign-off.
- Assessment, medicines and interpreting observations stay with the registered nurse. Never leave tablets on a locker.
- Say exactly what to report and when.
- Check back after the task and involve the patient.
- Ask how the person wants personal care done. For some Māori patients the head is tapu, so items for the head are kept separate.
Sources for the clinical content
- Nursing Council of New Zealand: FAQs on direction and delegation 2025
- Stroke Foundation of New Zealand
- Health Quality & Safety Commission: kaumātua and kuia care guide for health care assistants
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.