Which type of nurse is licensed to provide basic care under supervision of a registered nurse or physician?

Which type of nurse is licensed to provide basic care under supervision of a registered nurse or physician?

• A. Licensed practical nurses
• B. Advanced practice nurses
• C. Pharmacists
• D. Dentists

Answer: (A)

Providing basic care under supervision is the role of licensed practical nurses. They complete a practical nursing program and are licensed to perform fundamental nursing tasks such as assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs, and providing routine care under the oversight of a registered nurse or physician. This supervised scope is narrower than that of advanced practice nurses, who have higher-level education and broader responsibilities, including more autonomous patient assessment and often prescribing medications. Pharmacists and dentists are different professionals with their own distinct scopes—pharmacists focus on medications, and dentists handle oral health—so they’re not the nursing role described.

Providing basic care under supervision is the role of licensed practical nurses. They complete a practical nursing program and are licensed to perform fundamental nursing tasks such as assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs, and providing routine care under the oversight of a registered nurse or physician. This supervised scope is narrower than that of advanced practice nurses, who have higher-level education and broader responsibilities, including more autonomous patient assessment and often prescribing medications. Pharmacists and dentists are different professionals with their own distinct scopes—pharmacists focus on medications, and dentists handle oral health—so they’re not the nursing role described.