Advisory Opinions & Position Statements

The Board receives many inquiries related to nursing practice and /or education. An advisory opinion adopted by the Board is an interpretation by the Board of what the law requires. While an advisory opinion is not law, it is more than a recommendation. In other words, an advisory opinion is an official opinion of the Arizona State Board of Nursing regarding the practice of nursing as it relates to a specific standard of care. Additional frequently asked questions may be found in the Scope of Practice FAQs.

Retired Advisory Opinions   

Advisory Opinion Process

Scope Title Revised
LPN, RN Abandonment of Patients
APRN Acupuncture Procedures Performed by APRNs
APRN Administration and Monitoring of Subanesthetic IV Ketamine
RN Administration of Medications Via Intrapleural Route
LPN, RN Administration of Naloxone:The Role of the School Nurse
RN Administration of Radioisotope for Subtraction Ictal SPECT Co-registered to MRI (SISCOM)
LPN, RN Administration of Rescue Medications for Treatment of Signs & Symptoms of Acute Seizure Outside the Clinical Setting
RN Amniotomy/Fetal Spiral Electrodes
RN Analgesia by Catheter Techniques: (Epidural, Intrathecal, Interpleural, Perineural)
APRN Anesthetic Agents Administered by RNs for Limited Purposes: Airway Management & Peripheral Nerve Block
LPN Apheresis: Role of the LPN
APRN, Student APRN Programs: Approval of Clinicals in AZ by Out-of-State Programs
RN Auricular Acupuncture: Role of the RN
RN Blood Cell Salvage - The Role of the RN
RN Bone Marrow Aspiration & Biopsy
RN Cardiac Electrophysiology Related Procedures Role of RN
RN Central Vascular Access Device, Arterial Catheter Insertion, and Removal by RNs
RN Cervical Ripening Agents and Prostaglandin Suppositories
RN Chest Tubes: Removal of Pleural and Mediastinal Chest Tubes
APRN CNM Ordering Regional Analgesia in Labor Management
LPN, RN Contrast Media Injection Into Coronary Arteries
CRNA CRNA Performance of Preadmission and Preprocedural Comprehensive History and Physical Exam
CNA, LNA Decision Tree for the CNA/LNA
LPN, RN Delegation of Nursing Tasks by RN/LPN
LPN, RN Determination of Death: Role of RN/LPN
LPN, RN Dual Profession and Dual Health Care Licensure/Certification
Faculty, Student Education Use of Simulation in Approved RN/LPN Programs
LPN, RN Endoscopic Procedures: The Role of the RN/LPN
RN External Ventricular Drain Management, Cerebral Spinal Fluid Sampling and Line Flushing
RN Flexible Sigmoidoscopy for Screening Purposes
LPN, RN Foot Care
LPN Hemodialysis: The Role of the LPN
LPN, RN Immunization Administration Using a Nursing Protocol
LPN, RN Informed Consent
LPN, RN Infusion Therapy: The Role of the Licensed Practical Nurse
RN Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter Removal
RN Intrauterine Pressure Catheters (IUPC)
RN Intrauterine/Intracervical Insemination
ALL Intravenous Hydration and Other Therapies
RN Intraventricular Implanted Devices Temporary Intracranial Catheters
RN Intubation: Endotracheal, and the Use of Advanced Airway Devices: The Role of the RN
APRN Ionizing Radiation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Purposes
APRN, LPN, RN Ketamine Administration
RN Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) Fill
LPN, RN Local Anesthetic Agents Infiltration: Role of the Nurse
RN Lumbar Puncture
LPN, RN Medical Esthetic Procedures
LPN, Student Military Veterans with a Healthcare Designation Seeking to Sit for NCLEX- PN
RN Nitrous Oxide Administration
APRN Off Label Prescribing Drugs, Devices, and Therapeutics
LPN, RN Orders: Accepting, Transcribing, Reviewing Orders
RN Pre-Hospital Nursing
Student Preceptorship for Students in Pre-Licensure Programs
APRN Prescriber Use of the Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP)
APRN Prescribing Buprenorphine and/or Providing Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders
LPN, RN Prescription Medication Renewals Using a Nursing Protocol in an Ambulatory Setting
RN Punch and Shave Biopsies Performed by RNs
RN Registered Nurse First Assistant - RNFA
APRN Role of the APRN: Treating & Prescribing of Medications to Self and/or Family
RN, Faculty Role of the Clinical Instructor
LPN, RN Scope of Practice Decision Tree
RN Sedation: Deep, Moderate, and Palliative
RN Sheath Removal, Placement of Mechanical Compression Devices, and Deployment of Vascular Closure Devices
LPN, RN Standing Orders, Protocols, Pre-Printed Orders, & Order Sets (also known as Decision Support Tools)
RN, Faculty Supervision of Unlicensed Nurse Externs by RNs
APRN Supervisory Roles of APRNs in the Clinical Setting
Faculty Testing Guidelines for Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Arizona
CRNA Transesophageal Echocardiogram: The Role of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
APRN Trigger Point Injection, Intraarticular Joint Injection, Facet Joint Injection, Transforaminal Epidural Injection, and Medial Branch Blocks
RN Ultrasounds: Limited Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Reproductive
APRN Use of Controlled Substances for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
RN Vaginal Speculum Exam and Specimen Collection
LPN Ventilator and Tracheostomy Care: The Role of the LPN
LPN, RN Wound Care & Conservative Sharp Debridement: Role of the RN & LPN