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Question
Is the Licensed Practical Nurse required to have a special certification or specific training to prescribe, dispense, and administer naloxone for a suspected drug overdose?
Answer

The Licensed Practical Nurse, just as in all care the nurse provides, must be appropriately prepared and competent to perform the activity safely. The Washington state laws and rules do not require a specific training course or certification. Stop Overdose.com offers education, resources, and technical assistance for individuals, professionals, and communities in Washington State who want to learn to prevent and respond to overdose and improve the health of people who use drugs. An employer or institution may have specific requirements for training or certification. The Licensed Practical Nurse should use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree to determine if specific activities are within the registered nurse's legal and individual scope of practice. For more information and training resources, go to the Washington State Department of Health Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Website.

FAQ Category
Prevention and Treatment of Opioid-Related Overdoses