Can the licensed practical nurse give out drug samples?

Giving out drug samples is considered dispensing. Dispensing of medication is outside the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse. It may be within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to hand a patient a pre-packaged sample that is properly labeled by an authorized health care practitioner or pharmacist. The licensed practical nurse needs to be competent regarding the specific medication including the indications, contraindications, and side effects that is being delivered to the patient. The licensed practical nurse should use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree to determine if handing out a pre-labeled, pre-packed sample is within the licensed practical nurse's regulatory and individual scope of practice.