Editing RN Delegation and Supervision (section)

=== Licensed practical or vocational nurses ===

LPN/LVNs are licensed and have their own defined scope. In most jurisdictions an LPN/LVN may:

* Care for clients whose condition is stable and whose outcomes are predictable.
* Collect focused data, take vital signs, and monitor findings, then report to the RN.
* Administer most oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and rectal medications.
* Perform sterile dressing changes, wound care, tracheostomy care, and suctioning.
* Insert indwelling urinary catheters and nasogastric tubes and administer enteral feedings.
* Reinforce teaching that the RN has already initiated.

In most jurisdictions an LPN/LVN may ''not'' perform the initial or comprehensive admission assessment, formulate or revise the plan of care, perform the final evaluation of care, provide initial client teaching, administer intravenous push medications or blood products (state-dependent), or independently manage an unstable client. Some states permit IV therapy by LPN/LVNs only with additional certification and with specified exclusions.