Introduction
Diagnostic services that nurse practitioners order include:
- laboratory,
- miscellaneous services (such as cardiac stress tests, echocardiograms, Holter monitoring, amniocentesis, etc.), and
- imaging (including x-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging)
Standards
1.
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Nurse practitioners order diagnostic services, provide appropriate follow-up, diagnose and manage diseases, disorders and conditions within the scope of practice for nurse practitioners and their individual competence.
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2.
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Nurse practitioners engage in evidence informed diagnosing and management considering best practice guidelines and other relevant guidelines and resources.
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3.
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Nurse practitioners:
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a.
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provide the appropriate clinical information when ordering diagnostic tests
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b.
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establish mechanisms within their practice setting(s) to track and follow-up on diagnostic test results
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c.
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ensure clients are informed, in a timely manner, of diagnostic test results, implications and needed follow-up
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d.
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communicate, as needed, diagnostic test results with key providers involved in the client’s care
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4.
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Nurse practitioners document follow-up (and follow-up attempts) with the client and key providers on significant diagnostic test results, next steps and the care and treatment needed.
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Limits and Conditions
1.
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Nurse practitioners do not take responsibility for final interpretation of medical imaging studies. Appropriate treatment may be initiated while awaiting final interpretation by the diagnostic radiologist.
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