R4-19-508. Standards Related to RNP, CNM, and CNS Scope of Practice

A. An RNP, CNM, or CNS shall refer a patient to a physician or another health care provider if the referral will protect the health and welfare of the patient and consult with a physician and other health care providers if a situation or condition occurs in a patient that is beyond the RNP’s, CNM’s, or CNS’s knowledge and experience. B. In addition to the scope of practice permitted a registered nurse, the additional certification of an RNP, CNM, and CNS, under A.R.S. §§ 32-1601 (5), (9), and (20), as applicable, and 32-1606(B)(12), permits the RNP, CNM, and CNS to perform the following acts within the limits of the population focus of certification: 1. Examine a patient and establish a medical diagnosis by client history, physical examination, and other criteria. 2. For a patient who requires the services of a health care facility: a. Admit the patient to the facility, b. Manage the care the patient receives in the facility, and c. Discharge the patient from the facility. 3. Order and interpret laboratory, radiographic, and other diagnostic tests, and perform those tests that the RNP, CNM, or CNS is qualified to perform. 4. Prescribe, order, administer and dispense therapeutic measures including pharmacologic agents and devices if authorized under R4-19-511, and non-pharmacological interventions including, but not limited to, durable medical equipment, nutrition, home health care, hospice, physical therapy and occupational therapy. (For the CNS, all prescribing is restricted according to A.R.S. § 32-1651.) 5. Identify, develop, implement, and evaluate a plan of care for a patient to promote, maintain, and restore health. 6. Perform therapeutic procedures that the RNP, CNM, or CNS is qualified to perform. 7. Delegate therapeutic measures to qualified assistive personnel including medical assistants under R4-19-509. 8. Perform additional acts that the RNP, CNM, or CNS is qualified to perform and that are generally recognized as being within the role and population focus of certification. C. An RNP, CNM, or CNS shall only provide health care services including prescribing and dispensing within the RNP’s, CNM’s, or CNS’s population focus and role and for which the RNP, CNM, or CNS is educationally prepared and for which competency has been established and maintained. Educational preparation means academic coursework or continuing education activities that include both theory and supervised clinical practice.