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Question
Is direct supervision by the Nurse Technician's supervising nurse required for the Nurse Technician to administer naloxone to a patient for a suspected opioid overdose?
Answer

RCW 69.41.095 provides an exception to the nursing delegation laws and rules and does not require the Nurse Technician's supervising nurse to provide direct supervision for a Nurse Technician to administer naloxone. The Nurse Technician assistant may administer an opioid antagonist (such as naloxone) to an assigned patient by intranasal spray or injection without direct supervision. This may be done for the patient with a prescription, using an entity's prescription, or using the Nurse Technician's personal naloxone prescription. Any person or entity may lawfully possess, store, deliver, distribute, or administer an opioid overdose reversal medication with a prescription or standing order. For more information, go to the Washington State Department of Health Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Website.

FAQ Category
Prevention and Treatment of Opioid-Related Overdoses
Audience