Confused about LPNS role

[lacool]

SO i'm pretty confused about this....what exactly can Lpn's do? I know they can't teach or evaluate outcomes. I know they can take care of patient's with stable outcomes (does that mean they can assess them)? I also know they can complete dressing changes. But that's about it. Can they give meds, do I.V's, handle trach stuff, caths? I basically have no clue what lpns do. Oh can they give tpn or blood products? Thanks for the help!

[kat7ap]

Well if the original poster is asking in terms of what is the correct answer for the NCLEX-RN then he or she may need to use a study guide appropriate for that. Us LPNs don't know what is on the NCLEX-RN, but we do know what are practice allows which differs from state to state. Where I've practiced, LPN/LVNs can assess, teach, discharge/admit, give a range of meds (PO, IM, SQ, IVPB, IVP, etc...). We are taught the nursing process and care plans. I find it hard to believe that RNs should be taught that the LPN scope is so limited, for instance not being able to assess pain for a PRN med???? That's crazy!