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Ask Practice
Ask Practice features questions and answers about a variety of practice-related issues that nurses may face over the course of their careers.
The questions come from nurses and the answers are written by the College’s Practice Support Team. Ask Practice is updated on a regular basis, so come back often to see what new questions have been added to the list. Do you have a practice-related question that isn’t addressed here? Contact the Practice Support Team at practicesupport@cnomail.org.
Accountability
Care Transitions: Transfer of Accountability
Code Silver
Communicating test results
Continuing Competence
Delegating the communication of a diagnosis
Immunization reporting requirements
Initiating a packing dressing
Nurses use of Cannabis
Nursing Assessment
Patient-centred care
Performing frequent client assessments
Refusing assignments or discontinuing nursing services
Sleeping during shift breaks
Risking fatigue by working long hours
Understanding your scope of practice
What information is required on name tags?
Witnessing abuse
Authorizing Mechanisms
Administering the influenza vaccine
Authority to initiate intravenous lines
Difference between a directive and prescribing
Communicating directives
Do directives expire?
Signing for narcotic wastage
Signing prescriptions with “as per…”
Confidentiality and Privacy
Accessing client’s health records
Police access to health information
Mandatory reporting of gunshot wounds
Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) and confidentiality
Discussing clients with colleagues online
Withholding information/Lockbox provision
Consent
Controlled Acts
Performing laser therapy
Portable bladder ultrasound scanning
Delegation
Applying ultrasound in nursing assessments
Decisions About Procedures
Accountabilities when using ultrasound
Authority to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
Practice settings where health services are routinely performed
Declaration of Practice
Am I practising nursing in my new role?
Caring for a family member
Medical leave
PSW work as evidence of nursing practice
Documentation
Co-signing a documentation entry
Electronic signatures
Title use when working in different roles
End-of-Life Care
Can an RN or RPN pronounce death when death has occurred?
DNR orders
NP Students and MAID Assessments
Who can certify death
Ethical Issues
Accepting gifts from clients
Caring for a friend
Communicating with clients online
Culturally Sensitive Care
Disagreeing with the Care Plan
Protecting Patients Act, 2017 (Bill 87)
Providing care to a sexual partner
Professional versus social relationships
When employer policies conflict
When patients attempt sexual touching
Independent Practice
Administering Botox
Record keeping - documentation
Record keeping - retention
Fees
Products and Medication
Medication
Administering Botox
Administering methadone
Administering naloxone in emergencies
Can I distribute naloxone?
Considerations when administering cosmetic injections
Evidence-informed sources
Medical Cannabis
Medication samples
Narcotic storage and disposal
No directives for controlled substances
Recommending OTC medications
Sliding scale insulin
What patients should consider before getting Botox by a nurse
Nursing Roles
Can I register as a psychiatric nurse in Ontario?
Complementary Therapies
Leadership in nursing practice
Psychotherapy and the controlled act component of psychotherapy
RPNs and initiation
Supporting Learners
Unregulated Care Providers
Working with UCPs
Delegating to UCPs
Documenting for unregulated care providers
Working with physician assistants
Teaching UCPs to administer injections
Teaching UCPs to administer Naloxone
Teaching UCPs to give oral medication
