(1) Nurse practitioner practice means the independent and/or collaborative management of primary and/or acute health care of individuals, families, and communities including:

(a) assessing the health status of individuals and families using methods appropriate to the client population and area of practice such as:

(i) health history taking;

(ii) physical examination; and

(iii) assessing developmental health problems;

(b) instituting and facilitating continuity of health care to clients, including:

(i) ordering durable medical equipment, treatments and modalities, and diagnostic tests;

(ii) receiving and interpreting results of diagnostic procedures;

(iii) making medical and nursing diagnoses; and

(iv) working with clients to promote their understanding of and compliance with therapeutic regimes;

(c) promoting wellness and disease prevention programs;

(d) recognizing when to refer clients to a physician or other health care provider;

(e) providing instruction and counseling to individuals, families, and groups in the areas of health promotion and maintenance, including involving such persons in planning for their health care; and

(f) working in collaboration with other health care providers and agencies to provide and, where appropriate, coordinate services to individuals and families.