1. A. “Administration of medications” as defined in Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of 16.12.2.7 NMAC is a process whereby a prescribed drug or biological agent, as allowed by any applicable state or federal law, is given to a patient/client by a person licensed or certified by the board to administer medications.
2. B. "Assessment” as defined in Paragraph (9) of Subsection A of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means the review and interpretation by a licensed individual of specific data necessary to determine the patient/client 's care and treatment needs (also see data collection).
3. C. “Assignment of nursing activity” as defined in Paragraph (10) of Subsection A of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means appointing or designating another licensed nurse or assistive personnel that is consistent with his/her scope of practice (licensed person) or role description (unlicensed person).
4. D. “Data collection” as defined in Paragraph (1) of Subsection D of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means the process of obtaining information, material, fact, or clinical observations which will be used in the assessment process; data collection is not limited to licensed individuals.

5. E. “Delegation" as defined in Paragraph (2) of Subsection D of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means the transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation. The nurse retains accountability for the delegation. As stipulated in Subsection B of 16.12.2.12 NMAC the nurse shall assign/delegate to licensed and unlicensed persons only those nursing functions which that person is prepared, qualified, licensed, or certified to perform.

   1. (1) The nurse is accountable for assessing the situation and is responsible for the decision to delegate or make the assignment.
   2. (2) The delegating nurse is accountable for each activity delegated, for supervising the delegated function or activity, and for assessing the outcome of the delegated function or activity.
   3. (3) The nurse may not delegate the specific functions of nursing assessment, evaluation, and nursing judgment to non-licensed persons.

   4. (4) Registered nurses engaged in school nursing practice may delegate medication

      administration, including emergency medication, to adults affiliated with school operations.

6. F. “Supervision/direction” as defined in Paragraph (5) of Subsection S of 16.12.2.7 NMAC, means initial verification of a person’s knowledge and skills in the performance of a specific function or activity followed by periodic observation, direction, and evaluation of that person’s knowledge and skills as related to the specific functions or activity.

[6.63.15.7 NMAC - Rp, 6.63.15.7 NMAC, 9/26/2017]