Can the Licensed Practical Nurse dispense or distribute naloxone?

RCW 69.41.095 allows the Licensed Practical Nurse to dispense or distribute an opioid antagonist (such as naloxone) for a high-risk person, their family members, or friends following standing orders or a prescription from an authorized health care practitioner. Any person or entity may lawfully possess, store, deliver, distribute, or administer an opioid overdose reversal medication with a prescription or standing order. The Licensed Practical Nurse should use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree to determine if specific activities are within the registered nurse's legal and individual scope of practice. For more information, go to the Washington State Department of Health Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Website.