Restricted activities outside the scope of practice of LPNs

LPNs ​​only provide care within BCCNM's scope of practice. However, there are two exceptions:

1. ​​in life-threatening emergencies

2. ​where a formal delegation process is in place

In life-threatening emergencies, LPNs are ethically obligated to provide the best care they can, given the circumstances and their individual competence. Employers and nurses should not rely on the emergency exemption when an activity is considered an expectation of practice in a parti​cular setting. The emergency exemption is meant to deal with situations involving imminent risk of death or serious harm that arise unexpectedly and require urgent action.

The following activities a​re considered to be outside the LPN scope of practice and LPNs do not carry them out.

LPNs do not:

1. Apply electricity to destroy tissue or affect the heart or nervous system (exception: automat​ed external defibrillators)

2. Apply laser that cuts or destroys tissue
   

3. A​dminister in allergy challenge testing or desensitization treatments
   

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