What tasks are within the licensed practical nurse scope of practice when providing nursing care to a patient with a chest tube?
It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared licensed practical nurse to perform the following tasks related to chest tube care: • Chest tube insertion site care/dressing change; • Clamp the tube in an emergency; • Monitor patency of the draining system; • Assist the physician, advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse in changing bottles and/or disposable collection system. The appropriately prepared licensed practical nurse may perform these tasks provided: • The licensed practical nurse is educated and competent in the procedure. This education and competence must be documented initially and on an ongoing basis; • There is a medical order for the procedure; • The patient must be assessed initially and on an ongoing basis as needed by the registered nurse to determine whether there are contraindications or changes which require additional resources or expertise; • The licensed practical nurse practices according to accepted standards of practice; • Th
