Prescribing Epinephrine for Cardiac Arrest – Exception to RN Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests: Practice Advice for Registered Nurses

This practice advice provides guidance to registered nurses (RNs) herein referred to as registrants. Prescribing epinephrine for cardiac arrest is an exception to the RN Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests: Requirements and Standards. The purpose of this document is to provide information and guidance for registrants who may need to prescribe and administer epinephrine for cardiac arrest when a physician or nurse practitioner (NP) is not immediately available.

While the review of the RN prescribing standards is ongoing, the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) registrants are not prohibited from prescribing epinephrine for cardiac arrest situations, as described in the document Prescribing Epinephrine for Cardiac Arrest - Exception to RN Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests Requirements and Standards: Practice Advice for Registered Nurses.

This practice advice is a living document and is subject to periodic updates to remain current.