1
Week Pharmacolo
1 gy
Legal and Ethical Considerations
chapter #3
Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and Nursing Act
• Legislation that governs Ontario's regulated health professions' Colleges.
• College of Nurses of Ontario
• Scope of practice -- a statement that describes what the profession does and
what we are allowed to do under our license, which includes controlled acts.
• Controlled acts authorized to nursing
Controlled Acts
• Acts considered harmful if performed by unqualified persons
• 4 of 13 authorized to nursing when ordered.
1. Perform a prescribed procedure below the dermis/mucous membrane.
2. Administer a substance by injection or inhalation.
3. Put an instrument, hand or finger beyond a body orifice or artificial opening in
the body.
4. Dispensing a drug. (NEW for RPNs)
5. Treating by means of Psychotherapy.
i. beyond the external ear canal,
ii. beyond the point in the nasal passages
where they normally narrow,
iii beyond the larynx,
iv. beyond the opening of the urethra- catheter
v. beyond the labia majora- speculum
vi. beyond the anal verge- suppository
vii. into an artificial opening into the body- trach suctioning
Authorizing Mechanisms
• Order
o Written, client-specific.
• Directive
o Written, pre-existing orders, a group of clients.
o Having the authority to administer a medication does not necessarily
mean it is appropriate to do so.
When is an order required?
• Controlled act
• Injection or inhalation
• Below the dermis
• Instrument or hand/finger beyond body orifice
• Dispensing a drug
• Part of medical POC
• Lab tests
• Not included within RHPA but included in other legislation (eg. X-Ray)
Canadian Food and Drug Act
• Primary piece of legislation governing foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical
https://www.coursehero.com/file/186885742/Week-1-Legal-and-
Week Pharmacolo
1 gy
Legal and Ethical Considerations
chapter #3
Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and Nursing Act
• Legislation that governs Ontario's regulated health professions' Colleges.
• College of Nurses of Ontario
• Scope of practice -- a statement that describes what the profession does and
what we are allowed to do under our license, which includes controlled acts.
• Controlled acts authorized to nursing
Controlled Acts
• Acts considered harmful if performed by unqualified persons
• 4 of 13 authorized to nursing when ordered.
1. Perform a prescribed procedure below the dermis/mucous membrane.
2. Administer a substance by injection or inhalation.
3. Put an instrument, hand or finger beyond a body orifice or artificial opening in
the body.
4. Dispensing a drug. (NEW for RPNs)
5. Treating by means of Psychotherapy.
i. beyond the external ear canal,
ii. beyond the point in the nasal passages
where they normally narrow,
iii beyond the larynx,
iv. beyond the opening of the urethra- catheter
v. beyond the labia majora- speculum
vi. beyond the anal verge- suppository
vii. into an artificial opening into the body- trach suctioning
Authorizing Mechanisms
• Order
o Written, client-specific.
• Directive
o Written, pre-existing orders, a group of clients.
o Having the authority to administer a medication does not necessarily
mean it is appropriate to do so.
When is an order required?
• Controlled act
• Injection or inhalation
• Below the dermis
• Instrument or hand/finger beyond body orifice
• Dispensing a drug
• Part of medical POC
• Lab tests
• Not included within RHPA but included in other legislation (eg. X-Ray)
Canadian Food and Drug Act
• Primary piece of legislation governing foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical
https://www.coursehero.com/file/186885742/Week-1-Legal-and-
