49 Pa. Code § 21.11 - General functions

(a) The registered nurse assesses human responses and plans, implements and evaluates nursing care for individuals or families for whom the nurse is responsible. In carrying out this responsibility, the nurse performs all of the following functions:

(1) Collects complete and ongoing data to determine nursing care needs.

(2) Analyzes the health status of the individuals and families and compares the data with the norm when possible in determining nursing care needs.

(3) Identifies goals and plans for nursing care.

(4) Carries out nursing care actions which promote, maintain and restore the well-being of individuals.

(5) Involves individuals and their families in their health promotion, maintenance and restoration.

(6) Evaluates the effectiveness of the quality of nursing care provided.

(b) The registered nurse is fully responsible for all actions as a licensed nurse and is accountable to clients for the quality of care delivered.

(c) The registered nurse may not engage in areas of highly specialized practice without adequate knowledge of and skills in the practice areas involved.

(d) The Board recognizes standards of practice and professional codes of behavior, as developed by appropriate nursing associations, as the criteria for assuring safe and effective practice.

Notes

49 Pa. Code § 21.11

The provisions of this § 21.11 amended October 22, 1976, effective 10/23/1976, 6 Pa.B. 2677.

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 21.411 (relating to interpretations regarding the general functions of registered nurses-statement of policy); 49 Pa. Code § 21.412 (relating to interpretations regarding venipuncture, intravenous fluids, resuscitation and respiration-statement of policy); 49 Pa. Code § 21.413 (relating to interpretations regarding the administration of drugs-statement of policy); and 49 Pa. Code § 21.803 (relating to applicability of rules relating to professional nurses).