LPN Intravenous Therapy Scope of Practice: Titration

A request was received for an opinion on whether the following acts are within the scope of LPN intravenous therapy practice:

1. To “…increase, decrease or stop a Heparin drip that is on sliding scale per PTT results.”
2. To “…start and maintain a renal dose of dopamine.”  This question was interpreted by the Board to mean the use of low dose dopamine to increase renal perfusion.

Following review of 201 KAR 20:490, it was the advisory opinion of the Board that the acts addressed in questions 1 and 2 above are not within the scope of LPN practice.  The acts involve the administration of medications requiring “titration” as defined in the regulation and, thus, are outside the scope of LPN practice.