Can the licensed practical nurse pull an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and temporary pacer wires?

The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission determines it is beyond the scope of the licensed practical nurse to remove an IABP or temporary pacing wires due to the complexity of the procedure and concerns about the stability of the patient. The licensed practical nurse may assist an authorized health care practitioner or the registered nurse in performing this activity.

The licensed practical nurse should use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree to determine if any of the activities the licensed practical nurse is assisting with, is within the nurse's legal and individual scope of practice.