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Scope
of Practice |
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The practice of practical
nursing is defined in Section 961 of Chapter 11, Louisiana Revised
Statutes of 1950. According to this law, practical nursing is the
performance, for pay, of acts in the care, treatment or observation of the
ill and for the maintenance of the health of others and the promotion of
health care. Practical nurses may train and/or supervise other nurses, and
subordinate personnel. They may also instruct patients. |
Please contact our
office if you need further clarification on any of the practice issues
listed here. |
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A licensed practical nurse
must practice under the direction of one of the following: licensed
physician, optometrist, dentist, psychologist, or registered nurse. A
licensed practical nurse may perform duties consistent with his/her
educational preparation. The licensed practical nurse may also, with
appropriate training (which is approved by this Board, and documented),
perform additional specified acts which are authorized by the Board of
Practical Nurse Examiners when directed to do so by the licensed
physician, optometrist, dentist, psychologist, or registered nurse. |
Call
us at 504-838-5791 or write to us at 3421 North Causeway Blvd, Ste 505,
Metairie, La 70002. |
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The Louisiana State Board of
Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) has no "laundry list" of
tasks/skills an LPN can perform. Such lists tend to limit practice. Scope
of practice is a fluid concept. It changes as knowledge and technology
expand. LPNs must possess the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform
their duties, therefore, scope of practice comes down to the competency of
the individual LPN. |
Be
sure to also review the Practice Opinions
rendered by the Board.
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NOTE: THE FOLLOWING LIST IS NOT INCLUSIVE
OF ALL OF LPN PRACTICE AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DEFINE OR LIMIT PRACTICE. |
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The following are some of
the tasks (those most frequently inquired about) an LPN may perform when
the above conditions are met: |
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Initiate
and maintain IV therapy and administer IV medications by IVPB
and/or IVP (including hyperalimentation, blood and blood products)
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Reinsertion
of suprapubic catheters
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Accept
verbal/phone orders directly from the prescriber (an
optometrist, advanced practice registered nurse, physician, dentist,
or psychologist)
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Perform
heparinization during hemodialysis
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Serve
as first surgical assistant (but may not suture, dissect or
cauterize)
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Maintain
and administer meds via heparin locks
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Pap
smears/GC cultures/IUD string checks/Fundal heart tones/Leopolds
Maneuvers
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Apply
Unna Boots
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Load/monitor
PCA machines
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Care
for clients with external venous catheters (including Hickman,
Groshong, Brovia) and specifically: obtain blood specimens/connect and
monitor IV fluids/connect IVPB, provide site care (including dressing
changes)
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Care
for clients with internal venous access devices (including
port-a-cath, life port) and specifically: access with and/or remove
Huber needle/draw blood/connect and monitor IV fluids and provide site
care (including dressing changes)
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Insert
a feeding tube in a neonate
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Reinsert
a tracheostomy tube in an established tract
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Remove
sheaths in a cardiac cath lab and later D/C these lines
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Perform
tasks which promote pulmonary health and hygiene (administer
oxygen, aerosol and IPPB treatments, suction, perform CPT, etc.).
LPNs MAY NOT HOLD THEMSELVES OUT AS RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS OR
RESPIRATORY THERAPY TECHNICIANS.
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Perform
"head to toe" physical assessments
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