Can a licensed nurse practitioner perform the medical assessment and sign the physician’s orders in lieu of the physician?
If the licensed Nurse Practitioner is acting as the "physician's designated agent", then yes, he/she can perform and sign the medical assessment: 19 CSR 30-90.050 (3).
No, a licensed Nurse Practitioner cannot sign physician's orders in lieu of the physician: 19 CSR 30-90.050 (8) (D) B. Medications or treatments may not be administered without an order signed by a licensed physician.