Comments on: Can An Lpn Give Out A Chemotherapy Pill?

By: BSherman

BSherman — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:56:52 +0000

Only a doctor may prescribe chemotherapy medications, but they are typically delivered by nursing staff. RNs and LPNs perform IV infusions and dispense pill forms of chemotherapy under the direction of an oncologist.
Regulations vary from state to state. Consult with your hospital regarding applicable rules and procedures.

By: robert b

robert b — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:49:26 +0000

i would check, but i say yes. you are working under someones supervision and as long as they can give the med. and are educated about its use and side effects you should be alright.
looked it up on tn. state nursing boards website and found that if properly certified, a lpn can give iv chemotherapy under a dr. or rn supervision, so oral should not be any different. call them on the phone if you want to verify

By: Spreedog

Spreedog — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:27:57 +0000

There is no reason an LPN should not be able to give one of the many different oral chemotherapy agents. There is no trick to it. Patients swallow the pill like any other medication. You simply give the correct number of pills as ordered by the oncologist.
I hope you are not one of the many people who think that “chemotherapy” is just one medication. We have over 100 different drugs called “chemotherapy” for the 200 plus types of malignant diseases. All of the chemotherapy agents – just as all of the cancer types – are different. I’m sure you must be aware of this from your nursing training. You would be surprised how many people think cancer is one disease and chemotherapy is one treatment.