What is included in the scope of practice for registered nurses in South Carolina?

The scope of practice for registered nurses in South Carolina includes comprehensive assessments and nursing care, which is essential for ensuring patient safety and delivering effective healthcare. This encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, such as evaluating patients' health status, developing nursing care plans, and implementing nursing interventions. Registered nurses are trained to perform these tasks based on their education, competencies, and the regulations set forth by the South Carolina Nurse Practice Act.

In the context of nursing practice, comprehensive assessments involve collecting and interpreting patient data to make informed decisions about care. Nursing care includes a variety of interventions, whether they are direct patient care activities or indirect care, such as coordinating with other healthcare professionals.

The other options, while related to healthcare, fall outside the typical scope for registered nurses in South Carolina. Performing surgeries is generally reserved for surgeons and other specialized medical professionals. Prescribing medication is typically within the realms of nurse practitioners or physicians, who possess additional qualifications and legal authority to prescribe. Operating medical equipment may also be a task performed by registered nurses, but it usually falls under the broader category of care-specific interventions rather than being a central aspect of their nursing practice. Thus, comprehensive assessments and nursing care best encapsulate the primary functions outlined in the nursing scope of practice in South Carolina.