The nursing laws and rules allow a competent and appropriately trained licensed practical nurse to obtain a blood specimen via a capillary or venous blood sample to perform lead screening, hepatitis B screening, or other employee health laboratory tests under the direction of an authorized health care provider or under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. An order is required from an authorized health care practitioner for laboratory tests involving puncturing of the skin. Standing orders may also be followed to direct occupational health activities. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission's Standing Orders and Verbal Orders Advisory Opinion provides additional guidance and recommendations. The nurse should use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree to determine if specific activities are within the nurse's legal and individual scope of practice.