NR565 Week 2 Study Guide

Roles and Responsibilities of APRN Prescribers APRN prescriber is responsible for the final decision on which drug to use and how to use it. Degree of autonomy in this role and the breadth of drugs that can be prescribed vary from state to state based on the nurse practice act of that state. Nurse practitioner prescriptive authority is regulated by the State Board of Nursing for each state. • Advanced Knowledge o Additional knowledge, critical thinking, and assumption of a higher level of legal responsibility are required to assume the prescriber role o Knowledge of medicine, pharmacology, and nursing intertwine in the NP role o As a prescriber, it becomes the role and responsibility of the NP to determine the diagnosis for which the drug will be ordered, prescribe the appropriate drug, monitor the expected outcome of the drug, and incorporate a holistic assessment of the impact of disease and therapy on patient lives • Benefits of an APRN as Prescriber o Alternative treatment options are also part of the armamentarium that can be used to treat a given disorder and may interact with the pharmacotherapeutic intervention o APRN look at the big picture and consider alternative treatment options and lifestyle changes o Patients are looked at in a holistic approach and include the patient in decision making regarding their care. o NP practice may thrive under healthcare reform because of the demonstrated ability of nurse practitioners to control costs and improve patient outcomes