AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES .

Nurses face limits on general anesthesia

The law limits who can give general anesthetics in Rhode Island. Registered nurses and APRNs who are not anesthesia‑certified cannot give drugs mainly used for general anesthesia, like propofol, etomidate, sodium thiopental, methohexital, or gases such as sevoflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane. They also cannot start or manage deep sedation or general anesthesia for procedures. In a true life‑or‑limb emergency, an RN or APRN may give anesthetic medicines to preserve life. For rapid airway management or to keep an intubated, mechanically ventilated patient sedated, an RN may assist as a “third hand” to a licensed APRN or physician. An APRN trained in airway management and approved by their governing body may start or adjust IV/IO drugs. Care in the ER or ICU for intubated, ventilated patients is allowed within scope and with governing‑body approval. Certified registered nurse anesthetists and RNs enrolled in a Council on Accreditation–approved nurse anesthesiology program are not restricted by this rule.