def foo
  # do work here
  update_attribute :processed, true
end

Delayed::Job.enqueue InstructionRequestJob.new( p1, p2 )

InstructionRequestJob perform
- perform a task on a remote server
- get a response
- case response
  when OK
    update attribute ( as suggested)
  else
    # how many attempts ?
    if too_many_attempts
       update attribute
       destroy the job
    else
       reschedule the job for another attempt
- end