Chlorhexidine, which is recommended by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
for use in the oral care of patients undergoing
cardiac surgery33 and is commonly used in the
oral care of noncardiac patients, can be administered
only by health care providers with statutory
power to administer topical medications.
In other words, a nurse cannot delegate procedures
involving chlorhexidine to an assistant or
aide who is not certified by the particular state
to administer drugs.