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The nurse is researching if ordering wound care for a client is within the scope of nursing practice. Where should the nurse review the guidelines or law?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) guidelines

The State Medical Board memorandum

State Nurse Practice Act

Hospital Protocols

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A nurse should review the State Nurse Practice Act to determine if ordering wound care is within their scope of practice, as it contains the legal regulations for nursing practice within their state.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse looking to understand if ordering wound care for a client is within their scope of practice should review their State Nurse Practice Act. This act is a series of regulations that define the scope of nursing practice within a particular state and is essential in knowing what a nurse is legally allowed to do. While the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) guidelines can offer educational standards and the State Medical Board may provide information on the practice of medicine in the state, they do not directly define nursing practices. Additionally, while Hospital Protocols can provide guidelines for specific institutions, the absolute authority on the scope of nursing practice would be the State Nurse Practice Act.

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