Can an Advanced Practice Nurse Perform A Medical Screening Exam?
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are RNs who have completed a formalized education program, e.g., Master’s or Post-Master’s APN curriculumthat enables them to engage in certain aspects of medical diagnosis and medical management within their advanced practice role and specialty. Advanced practice recognition is not sufficient on its own to qualify an APN to perform all types of medical screening exam. The APN would have to be authorized in an appropriate role and specialty, e.g.,Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner for evaluation of general medical conditions of adults. A Family Nurse Practitionercould also evaluate pediatric patients.A Certified Nurse Midwife, Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner, or Clinical Nurse Specialist in Women’s Health would have appropriate educational preparation to perform medical screening exams on obstetrical patients. Conversely, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner would not be able to determine the presence or a
