PTCE Controlled Substances 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents a prescription for oxycodone 30 mg tablets written by a physician licensed in another state. Under federal law, which statement is correct?
- It is invalid and cannot be filled
- It can be filled if it meets both the issuing state and dispensing state requirements (Correct answer)
- It requires a DEA Form 222 to dispense
- It can only be filled if the physician has a DEA number in the dispensing state
Correct answer: It can be filled if it meets both the issuing state and dispensing state requirements
A controlled substance prescription written by an out-of-state prescriber is valid if it meets the legal requirements of both the prescriber's state and the state where it is being filled.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a required element on a DEA Form 222 when ordering Schedule I or II substances?
- Number of packages
- Name and address of the supplier
- Patient name and date of birth (Correct answer)
- Signature of the purchaser
Correct answer: Patient name and date of birth
DEA Form 222 is an ordering form between registrants and does not require patient information; it records item, quantity, and supplier details.
Question 3: Buprenorphine prescribed for opioid use disorder (OUD) in an office-based setting falls under which DEA schedule?
- Schedule II
- Schedule III (Correct answer)
- Schedule IV
- Schedule V
Correct answer: Schedule III
Buprenorphine (Subutex) and buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) are Schedule III controlled substances.
Question 4: A pharmacy technician notices a pattern of a single prescriber writing high quantities of opioids to multiple patients with cash payments. What should the technician do first?
- Fill the prescriptions as written since a licensed prescriber signed them
- Refuse to fill and call the DEA immediately
- Alert the pharmacist-in-charge so they can evaluate for a 'red flag' situation (Correct answer)
- Call the prescriber directly to demand an explanation
Correct answer: Alert the pharmacist-in-charge so they can evaluate for a 'red flag' situation
Technicians should alert the pharmacist-in-charge when red flags for drug diversion are observed; the pharmacist makes the final dispensing decision.
Question 5: How must unused controlled substance waste be documented when wasting a partial dose in a hospital setting?
- Witnessed by a second licensed staff member and recorded (Correct answer)
- Disposed of in any sharps container without documentation
- Submitted to the state board within 24 hours
- No documentation is required for partial doses under 10 mg
Correct answer: Witnessed by a second licensed staff member and recorded
Controlled substance waste must be witnessed by a second licensed or authorized staff member and documented to prevent diversion.
Question 6: Which federal act created the scheduling system for controlled substances in the United States?
- Harrison Narcotic Tax Act of 1914
- Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (Correct answer)
- Durham-Humphrey Amendment of 1951
- Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000
Correct answer: Controlled Substances Act of 1970
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 established the five-schedule classification system for regulated drugs.
Question 7: A Schedule IV prescription for alprazolam may be refilled a maximum of how many times within 6 months of the original date of issue?
- 0 times
- 3 times
- 5 times (Correct answer)
- Unlimited times
Correct answer: 5 times
Schedule III and IV prescriptions may be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months from the date written.
PTCE Controlled Substances 3
A patient presents a prescription for oxycodone 30 mg tablets written by a physician licensed in another state.
Under federal law, which statement is correct?