What describes the range of nursing activities a nurse is legally permitted to perform?

• A. Job duties
• B. Scope of practice for nursing
• C. Hospital policy
• D. Professional ethics

Answer: (B)

Defining the range of nursing activities a nurse is legally permitted to perform centers on the scope of nursing practice. This scope is set by state laws and the boards of nursing and reflects what tasks are allowed based on education, licensure, and professional accountability. It can vary by state, by specialty, and by whether the nurse is an RN or a licensed practical nurse. Staying within this scope is essential for patient safety and to avoid legal consequences.

Hospital policy provides workplace rules that guide how tasks are carried out in a specific setting, and professional ethics describe the moral responsibilities of nursing. However, neither hospital policy nor ethics alone grants the legal authority to perform a procedure; that authority comes from the scope of practice. Job duties are the tasks assigned by an employer and may align with or go beyond the legal scope, but the legal permission to perform those tasks rests with the scope of nursing practice.