Administration of Medications via Various Injectable Routes by ARNPs

In February 2004, the Board responded to an opinion request on the administration of Lidocaine and Depo-Medrol via various injection techniques by an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) designated nurse practitioner.

Following review of the statutes and the administrative regulation 201 KAR 20:057 governing the scope and standards of advanced registered nursing practice and the information provided in the request, it was the opinion of the Board that the ARNP designated nurse anesthetist is educationally prepared to administer Lidocaine and Depo-Medrol via epidural, LS spine, lumbar facet joint, thoracic facet joint, unilateral SI joint, and bilateral SI joint injections. 

The performance of these acts is not within the scope of the ARNP designated nurse practitioner holding family nurse practitioner certification, unless the ARNP has:

• Completed an established organized training program to prepare an individual to perform these acts and to interpret CT scans, prior to incorporating the performance of the acts into his/her scope of practice.  The training program should also include a period of supervised clinical practice to develop the clinical competencies needed to perform the acts in a safe, effective manner.
  
  
• Documented evidence of current clinical competency in the performance of the acts.  The competency validation should be performed and documented by a qualified supervisor/teacher.