(a) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing authorizes the registered nurse practitioner, in collaboration with and under the direction of a licensed physician, to perform particular acts at the advanced and specialized levels as recognized by the nursing profession and that are in conformity with the Nurse Practice Act:

1. (1) Secures, records, and evaluates the health, psychosocial, and developmental history of patients;
2. (2) Performs physical examinations using techniques of observation, inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion and uses appropriate diagnostic tests;
3. (3) Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings on the history and physical examination and refers the individuals who need further evaluation or supervision;
4. (4) Documents the processes of nursing care delivery;
5. (5) Contributes to the comprehensive care of the ill in collaboration with the healthcare team;

6. (6) Coordinates healthcare plans to:

   1. (A) Enhance the quality of health care; and
   2. (B) Diminish both fragmentation and duplication of service;
7. (7) Contributes to the health education of individuals and groups and applies methods designed to increase each person's motivation to assume responsibility for his or her own health care;
8. (8) Facilitates entry into and through the healthcare system by appropriate route;

9. (9) Counsels with families and/or individuals regarding:

   1. (A) Family planning;
   2. (B) Pregnancy;
   3. (C) Child care;
   4. (D) Emotional stresses;
   5. (E) Long-term illness; and
   6. (F) General health problems;
10. (10) Performs periodic health evaluations and plans for health maintenance of clients; and
11. (11) Conducts community clinics for case finding and screening for health problems.

(b) The board authorizes the registered nurse practitioner, in collaboration with and under the direction of a licensed physician, to perform particular acts recognized by the nursing profession and which are in conformity with the Nurse Practice Act:

1. (1) Assumes responsibility for ongoing health maintenance and clinical management of stable, chronically ill patients;
2. (2) Provides initial care of emergencies and initiates arrangements for continuing definitive care;
3. (3) Identifies, manages, and initiates treatment for common medical problems by "protocols" as described in 17 CAR § 122-103; and
4. (4) Evaluates progress and manages prenatal and postpartum care.