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Question
Can the registered nurse give prescribed off-label medications?
Answer

The nursing law and rules do not prohibit the competent and appropriately trained registered nurse from giving off-label medications under the direction of an authorized provider. The facility can be more restrictive. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission recommends the registered nurse use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree to determine if the administration of the off-label medication is within his or her regulatory and individual scope of practice. The Food and Drug Administration Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs "Off-Label" website provides information about using unapproved off-label drugs. Off-label use should be done with careful insight and understanding of the risks and benefits to the patient considering high-quality evidence supporting efficacy, effectiveness, and safety. The registered nurse is always individually accountable and responsible for the nursing care the registered nurse provides.

FAQ Category
Dispensing, Compounding, Legend Drugs, Controlled Substances
Audience