Can the Licensed Practical Nurse administer naloxone follow a standing order for a suspected opioid overdose?

The Licensed Practical Nurse may administer an opioid antagonist following a standing order from an authorized health care practitioner. This includes following the Washington State Department of Health Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone. The Licensed Practical Nurse should use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree to determine if the activity is within the nurse's legal and individual scope of practice. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission's Standing Orders and Verbal Orders Advisory Opinion provides guidance and recommendations. For more information, go to the Washington State Department of Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Website.