Can an unlicensed person give prn medications to individuals?
An unlicensed person can give a prn medication if the order is written so that a judgment is not required (e.g. Acetaminophen 500 mg prn fever above 100ยบ). An LVN is able to give prn medications directly, but cannot make a nursing judgment and instruct unlicensed staff by telephone to give the prn medication. An RN may make nursing judgments via telephone regarding an individual’s condition and instruct the caregiver to give a prn medication.
