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Question
When administering medications, by what routes of administration is the registered nurse (RN) allowed to delegate to the NA-R/NA-C or home care aide-certified (HCA-C) in community-based* and in-home care settings?
Answer

The RN may delegate administration of medications to the NA-R-/NA-C or HCA-C only in community-based* and in-home care settings by the following routes:

 

  • Topical
  • Eye drops
  • Ocular
  • Intranasal, inhalation, aerosol
  • Oral, buccal, sublingual
  • Vaginal
  • Rectal

 

  • Via an enteral feeding tube
  • Via a urinary catheter
  • Via a tracheal cannula
  • Injectable – Limited to insulin injectable medications prescribed for treatment of Diabetes Mellitus*

 

The RN must follow the nurse delegation process. The following statute and WACs are applicable to nurse delegation in community-based* and in-home care settings: 

 

*Community-based settings include adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and residential homes for individuals with developmental disabilities (RCW 18.79.260).  

 

The HCA-C is allowed to work only in community-based*, in-home care settings, and enhanced service facilities. The following statutes and WACs are applicable to nurse delegation to the HCA-C in addition to the statute and WACs noted above:

RCW 18.88B.070: Nurse Delegated Tasks

WAC 246-980-130 Provision of Delegation of Certain Tasks to the HCA-C

WAC 246-980-140: Scope of Practice for Long-Term Care Workers

WAC 246-980-150: Standards of Practice

FAQ Category
Nursing Delegation
Audience