Roles of Nurses in the Administration of Medication via a Continuous Infusion Catheter

In April 2005, following review of the statutes governing nursing practice, it was the advisory opinion of the Board that:

• The responsibilities for assessment and evaluation of patients receiving a continuous infusion of medication for maintenance of a peripheral nerve block is within the scope of registered nursing practice.  It is within the scope of licensed practical nursing practice for the licensed practical nurse to assist in the collection of data for assessment and evaluation purposes.
  
  
• It is within the scope of registered nursing practice for the registered nurse, based upon a medical order, to change the infusion pump settings.  It is not within the scope of licensed practical nursing practice.
  
  
• It is within the scope of licensed practical nursing practice for the licensed practical nurse to participate in the maintenance of medication administration for a peripheral nerve block, by changing the infusion unit (pre-mixed, pre-labeled bag or syringe) on a peripheral nerve block infusion pump under the supervision of a registered nurse. 

Each nurse must be educationally prepared and currently clinically competent to perform the acts in a safe and effective manner.