Section 1300.44  Standards for Pharmacology/Administration of Medication Course for Practical Nurses

a)         Approved licensed practical nursing programs shall include a course designed to educate practical nursing students and/or licensed practical nurses to administer medications via oral, topical, subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular routes under the direction of a registered professional nurse, licensed physician, or licensed dentist that contains the following minimum components:

1)         Prerequisites

A)        Basic computational math and high school algebra with proficiency in the following concepts, including, but not limited to, ratios and proportions and metric, apothecary and household measurements as documented via examination and/or coursework completed.

B)        Basic scientific knowledge, including, but not limited to, microbiology/asepsis and anatomy and physiology with a basic understanding of fluid and electrolytes, the inflammatory response, the immune response, and body systems as documented via examination or coursework.

2)         Pharmacology

A)        An introduction to pharmacology including the areas of:

i)          Terminology and abbreviations

ii)         Federal and State laws related to pharmacology (e.g., Illinois Controlled Substances Act [720 ILCS 570]; federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 USC 360))

iii)         Drug standards and references (i.e., United States Pharmacopoeia/National Formulary)

iv)        Generic versus brand name drugs

v)         Misuse/abuse of drugs

B)        Classifications of drugs (with commonly used examples) including:

i)          Action/Physiological effect

ii)         Interactions

iii)         Side effects and contraindications

iv)        Dosages and routes

v)         Nursing implications (including legal implications)

3)         Administration of Medication

A)        Following procedures of safety as described in subsections (a)(3)(C), (D), (E), and (F) in administering medications.

B)        Developmental adaptations for administering medications to patients of all ages.

C)        Assessment of patient condition.

D)        Planning for administration of medication including:

i)          Checking for doctor's order

ii)         Securing proper equipment

iii)         Verifying proper packaging of medication

E)         Implementation of administration of medication including:

i)          Site selection

ii)         Verifying route of administration

iii)         Administering the medication

iv)        Recording medication administration

v)         Patient education for compliance

F)         Evaluation of patient response including:

i)          Effects/side effects/allergic responses

ii)         Recording/reporting of effects

b)         These requirements shall not preclude a flexible curriculum that would provide appropriate integration into other practical nursing courses.

c)         The course/instruction shall include at least 32 hours of theory and 64 hours of lab and clinical with administration of medication to patients performed under direct supervision of qualified faculty as set forth in subsection (d) of this Section.

d)         Nurse faculty of pharmacology and administration of medication courses shall have:

1)         At least two years experience in clinical nursing practice;

2)         A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing;

3)         A current Illinois Registered Professional Nurse license.

e)         Approved licensed practical nursing programs shall include a curriculum designed to educate practical nursing students and/or licensed practical nurses to perform the following activities related to intravenous therapy under the supervision of a registered professional nurse, licensed physician, or licensed dentist:

1)         Monitoring the flow rate of existing intravenous lines.

2)         Regulating peripheral fluid infusion rates.

3)         Observing sites for local reaction and reporting results to the registered nurse.

4)         Discontinuing intravenous therapy with an order from a physician.

5)         Adding non-medicated solutions to existing patent lines.

6)         Changing peripheral intravenous tubings and dressings.

7)         Monitoring existing transfusions of blood and blood components.

8)         Documenting intravenous procedures performed and observations made.

Practical nursing programs have until August 2000 to add the intravenous therapy content set forth in this subsection (e) to the nursing program's curriculum.

f)          This curriculum may prepare the licensed practical nurse to start intravenous therapy.

g)         The curriculum shall not include the following procedures:

1)         Administering chemotherapeutic agents via intravenous routes.

2)         Starting or adding blood or blood components.

3)         Administering medications via intravenous push.

4)         Adding medication to existing intravenous infusions, including heparin in heparin locks.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 8582, effective April 21, 2006)