64B9-12.005. Competency and Knowledge Requirements Necessary to Qualify the LPN to Administer IV Therapy

(1) The course necessary to qualify a licensed practical nurse or graduate practical nurse to administer IV therapy shall be not less than a thirty (30) hour post-graduation level course teaching aspects of IV therapy. The didactic intravenous therapy education must contain the following components:

(a) Policies and procedures of both the Nurse Practice Act and the employing agency in regard to intravenous therapy. This includes legalities of both the Licensed Practical Nurse role and the administration of safe care. Principles of charting are also included.

(b) Psychological preparation and support for the patient receiving IV therapy as well as the appropriate family members/significant others.

(c) Site and function of the peripheral veins used for veinpuncture.

(d) Procedure for veinpuncture, including physical and psychological preparation, site selection, skin preparation, palpation of veins, and collection of equipment.

(e) Relationship between intravenous therapy and the body’s homeostatic and regulatory functions, with attention to the clinical manifestations of fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

(f) Signs and symptoms of local and systemic complications in the delivery of fluids and medications and the preventive and treatment measures for these complications.

(g) Identification of various types of equipment used in administering intravenous therapy with content related to criteria for use of each and means of troubleshooting for malfunction.

(h) Formulas used to calculate fluid and drug administration rate.

(i) Methods of administering drugs intravenously and advantages and disadvantages of each.

(j) Principles of compatibility and incompatibility of drugs and solutions.

(k) Nursing management of the patient receiving drug therapy, including principles of chemotherapy, protocols, actions, and side effects.

(l) Nursing management of the patient receiving blood and blood components, following institutional protocol. Include indications and contraindications for use; identification of adverse reactions.

(m) Nursing management of the patient receiving parenteral nutrition, including principles of metabolism, potential complications, and physical and psychological measures to ensure the desired therapeutic effect.

(n) Principles of infection control in IV therapy, including aseptic technique and prevention and treatment of iatrogenic infection.

(o) Nursing management of special IV therapy procedures that are commonly used in the clinical setting, such as heparin lock, central lines, and arterial lines.

(p) Glossary of common terminology pertinent to IV fluid therapy.

(q) Performance check list by which to evaluate clinical application of knowledge and skills.

(2) Clinical Competence. The course must be followed by supervised clinical practice in intravenous therapy to demonstrate clinical competence. Verification of clinical competence shall be the responsibility of each institution employing a licensed practical nurse based on institutional protocol. Such verification shall be given through a signed statement of a licensed registered nurse.

(3) Central Venous Lines (CVL) and Peripherally Inserted Central Catherer (PICC) Lines. The Board recognizes that through appropriate education and training, a Licensed Practical Nurse is capable of performing intravenous therapy via central and PICC lines under the direction of a registered nurse or other health care practitioner as defined in subsection 64B9-12.002, F.A.C. Appropriate education and training requires a minimum of four (4) hours of instruction. The requisite four (4) hours of instruction may be included as part of the thirty (30) hours required for intravenous therapy education specified in subsection (4) of this rule. The education and training required in this subsection shall include, at a minimum, didactic and clinical practicum instruction in the following areas:

(a) Central venous anatomy and physiology;

(b) CVL and PICC site assessment;

(c) CVL and PICC dressing and cap changes;

(d) CVL and PICC flushing;

(e) CVL and PICC medication and fluid administration;

(f) CVL and PICC blood drawing; and,

(g) CVL and PICC complications and remedial measures.

Upon completion of the intravenous therapy training via central and PICC lines, the Licensed Practical Nurse shall be assessed on both theoretical knowledge and practice, as well as clinical practice and competence. The clinical practice assessment must be witnessed by a Registered Nurse who shall file a proficiency statement regarding the Licensed Practical Nurse’s ability to perform intravenous therapy via central lines. The proficiency statement shall be kept in the Licensed Practical Nurse’s personnel file.

(4) Providers: The LPN/IV education must be sponsored by a provider of continuing education courses approved by the Board pursuant to Rule 64B9-5.005, F.A.C. To be qualified to teach any such course, the instructor must be a currently licensed registered nurse in good standing in this state, have teaching experience, and have professional nursing experience, including IV therapy. The provider will be responsible for issuing a certificate verifying completion of the requisite number of hours and course content.

Rulemaking Authority 464.006 FS. Law Implemented 464.003(18) FS. History–New 1-16-91, Formerly 21O-21.005, 61F7-12.005, Amended 7-15-96, Formerly 59S-12.005, Amended 11-17-10, 7-20-23.