WAC 246-840-4950. Special populations — Patients twenty-five years of age or under, pregnant patients, and aging populations

(1) Patients twenty-five years of age or under. In the treatment of pain for patients twenty-five years of age or under, the advanced registered nurse practitioner shall treat pain in a manner equal to that of an adult but must account for the weight of the patient and adjust the dosage prescribed accordingly. (2) Pregnant patients. Use of medication assisted treatment (MAT) opioids, such as methadone or buprenorphine, by a pregnant patient shall not be discontinued without oversight by the MAT prescribing practitioner. The advanced registered nurse practitioner shall weigh carefully the risks and benefits of opioid detoxification during pregnancy. (3) Aging populations. As people age, their tolerance and metabolizing of opioids may change. The advanced registered nurse practitioner shall consider the distinctive needs of patients who are sixty-five years of age or older and who have been on chronic opioid therapy or who are initiating opioid treatment.