Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a)
Approved licensed practical nursing programs shall include a course designed to
educate practical nursing students and/or licensed practical nurses to
administer medications via oral, topical, subcutaneous, intradermal and
intramuscular routes under the direction of a registered professional nurse,
advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist or
podiatric physician that contains the following minimum components:
1) Prerequisites
A) Basic computational math and high school
algebra with proficiency in the following concepts, including, but not limited
to, ratios and proportions and metric, apothecary and household measurements as
documented via examination and/or coursework completed.
B) Basic scientific knowledge, including, but
not limited to, microbiology/asepsis and anatomy and physiology with a basic
understanding of fluid and electrolytes, the inflammatory response, the immune
response, and body systems as documented via examination or
coursework.
2)
Pharmacology
A) An introduction to
pharmacology, including the areas of:
i)
Terminology and abbreviations
ii)
Federal and State laws related to pharmacology (e.g., Illinois Controlled
Substances Act [ 720 ILCS 570 ]; federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (
21 USC
360))
iii) Drug standards and references (i.e.,
United States Pharmacopoeia/National Formulary)
iv) Generic versus brand name drugs
v) Misuse/abuse of drugs
B) Classifications of drugs (with commonly
used examples), including:
i)
Action/Physiological effect
ii)
Interactions
iii) Side effects and
contraindications
iv) Dosages and
routes
v) Nursing implications
(including legal implications)
3) Administration of Medication
A) Following procedures of safety as
described in subsections (a)(3)(C), (D), (E) and (F) in administering
medications.
B) Developmental
adaptations for administering medications to patients of all ages.
C) Assessment of patient condition.
D) Planning for administration of medication,
including:
i) Checking for an order from an
advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist or
podiatric physician
ii) Securing
proper equipment
iii) Verifying
proper packaging of medication
E) Implementation of administration of
medication, including:
i) Site
selection
ii) Verifying route of
administration
iii) Administering
the medication
iv) Recording
medication administration
v)
Patient education for compliance
F) Evaluation of patient response, including:
i) Effects/side effects/allergic
responses
ii) Recording/reporting
of effects
b) This Section does not preclude a flexible
curriculum that would provide appropriate integration into other practical
nursing courses.
c) The
course/instruction shall include at least 32 hours of theory and 64 hours of
lab and clinical with administration of medication to patients performed under
direct supervision of qualified faculty as set forth in subsection
(d).
d) Nurse faculty of
pharmacology and administration of medication courses shall have:
1) At least 2 years experience in clinical
nursing practice;
2) A
baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing;
3) A current Illinois Registered Professional
Nurse license.
e)
Approved licensed practical nursing programs shall include a curriculum
designed to educate practical nursing students and/or licensed practical nurses
to perform the following activities related to intravenous therapy under the
supervision of a registered professional nurse, advanced practice registered
nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist or podiatric physician:
1) Monitoring the flow rate of existing
intravenous lines.
2) Regulating
peripheral fluid infusion rates for a continuous infusion of fluids or for
intermittent infusions, through an IV access device. A peripheral IV line is
defined as a short catheter inserted through the skin terminating in a
peripheral vein.
3) Observing sites
for local reaction and reporting results to the registered nurse.
4) Discontinuing intravenous therapy with an
order from an advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant,
physician, dentist or podiatric physician.
5) Adding pharmacy pre-mixed antibiotic
solutions to existing patent lines.
6) Changing peripheral intravenous tubings
and dressings.
7) Monitoring
existing transfusions of blood and blood components.
8) Documenting intravenous procedures
performed and observations made.
f) This curriculum shall prepare the LPN to
start peripheral intravenous therapy that consists of a short catheter inserted
through the skin into a peripheral vein.
g) The curriculum shall not include the
following procedures:
1) Administering
chemotherapeutic agents via intravenous routes.
2) Starting or adding blood or blood
components.
3) Administering
medications via intravenous push or administering heparin in heparin
locks.
