NAC632.220. Medication and treatment of patients; response to orders; adjustment of dosage or frequency of medication.

     1. A registered nurse shall perform or supervise:

     (a) The verification of an order given for the care of a patient to ensure that it is appropriate and properly authorized and that there are no documented contraindications in carrying out the order;

     (b) Any act necessary to understand the purpose and effect of medications and treatments and to ensure the competence of the person to whom the administration of medications is delegated; and

     (c) The initiation of intravenous therapy and the administration of intravenous medication.

     2. A registered nurse shall take orders only from a licensed physician, physician assistant, dentist, podiatric physician or advanced practitioner of nursing. A registered nurse may refuse an order if he or she takes appropriate action to ensure the safety of a patient.

     3. If a prescription specifies a range of the dosage or frequency for the administration of a medication, a registered nurse may adjust the dosage or frequency of the medication within that range when he or she administers the medication to a patient.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Nursing, eff. 11-2-87; A by R070-00, 6-20-2000; R122-01, 12-17-2001)