Is it within the scope of practice of the RN to administer paralytic agents and/or sedative analgesics/anesthetics during critical care transport of ventilator patients?
It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared registered nurse to administer paralytic agents and/or sedative analgesics/anesthetics as part of rapid sequence intubation and for the purpose of maintaining a patient on the ventilator in critical care units, emergency departments and in prehospital/interhospital response and transportation provided: The registered nurse is educated and competent in all aspects of rapid sequence intubation, mechanical ventilation and cardiovascular resuscitation, including knowledge of all equipment and medical devices to be used and medications to be administered (i.e., indications and use, actions, dosage, contraindications, precautions, side effects, antidote, etc., The education and competence must be documented initially and on an ongoing basis; There is a medical order for the procedure; The procedure is performed and the patient is monitored according to accepted standards of practice; If in a facility, the physician or nurse pra
