MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination Quiz: Corresponding Responsibility
20 questions · exam conditions
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Corresponding ResponsibilityQuestion 1 of 20

A pharmacist notices through the state PDMP that a patient has received oxycodone prescriptions from three different physicians in the same 30-day period. The patient now presents a new oxycodone prescription from a fourth physician. Which of the following best describes the pharmacist's obligation?

The pharmacist must verify the prescription's legitimacy by contacting the prescriber and reviewing the PDMP before dispensing.
The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the current prescription is from a licensed physician and appears valid on its face.
The pharmacist should fill the prescription but report the patient to the DEA as a suspected drug abuser.
The pharmacist is not required to act because PDMP information is confidential and cannot be used to decline a prescription.
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MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination Quiz

MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination Quiz: Corresponding Responsibility

Practice Corresponding Responsibility in MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Corresponding Responsibility, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A pharmacist notices through the state PDMP that a patient has received oxycodone prescriptions from three different physicians in the same 30-day period. The patient now presents a new oxycodone prescription from a fourth physician. Which of the following best describes the pharmacist's obligation?

  1. The pharmacist must verify the prescription's legitimacy by contacting the prescriber and reviewing the PDMP before dispensing. (correct answer)
  2. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the current prescription is from a licensed physician and appears valid on its face.
  3. The pharmacist should fill the prescription but report the patient to the DEA as a suspected drug abuser.
  4. The pharmacist is not required to act because PDMP information is confidential and cannot be used to decline a prescription.
Explanation: Multiple prescribers for the same controlled substance within the same period is a significant red flag for doctor shopping. The pharmacist is obligated to investigate before filling. B is incorrect because face validity does not overcome the red flag raised by the prescribing pattern. C is incorrect because investigation and resolution come before reporting. D is incorrect because PDMP data is specifically provided to pharmacists to inform dispensing decisions and may be used to identify patterns triggering corresponding responsibility obligations.

Question 2

A pharmacist fills a controlled substance prescription without red flag concerns. A DEA investigation later reveals the prescription was forged, but the forgery was sophisticated and undetectable by ordinary professional attention. Which of the following best describes the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility liability?

  1. The pharmacist is strictly liable for filling a forged prescription because corresponding responsibility imposes absolute liability.
  2. The pharmacist is automatically exempt from liability because forged prescriptions cannot be the pharmacist's fault.
  3. The pharmacist is not liable if they exercised appropriate professional attention without knowledge of the forgery. (correct answer)
  4. The pharmacist is liable only if the patient was later arrested for drug-related charges.
Explanation: Corresponding responsibility is not a strict liability standard. The pharmacist is liable for filling a prescription they knew or reasonably should have known was not legitimate. A sophisticated forgery undetectable with ordinary professional attention does not create corresponding responsibility liability because the pharmacist lacked actual or constructive knowledge. A is incorrect because strict liability is not the standard. B is incorrect because it overstates the exemption; if the pharmacist should have detected warning signs and did not, they may be liable. D is incorrect because the patient's subsequent criminal activity does not retroactively determine the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility.

Question 3

A pharmacist has filled controlled substance prescriptions for a patient for two years without concerns. Recently, the prescriptions show increasing doses at shorter intervals, more frequent early refill requests, and the most recent prescription is from a different prescriber. How should the pharmacist analyze the current prescription?

  1. The pharmacist must assess the prescription for red flags, including dose escalation, early refills, and prescriber change, before filling. (correct answer)
  2. The pharmacist must fill the current prescription because the patient has an established prescription history at this pharmacy.
  3. The pharmacist must fill the current prescription because changing prescribers is the patient's right and does not constitute a red flag.
  4. The pharmacist must fill the current prescription and contact the DEA to report the change in prescribers.
Explanation: Corresponding responsibility requires ongoing evaluation of each prescription, not a one-time assessment. Even a patient with a previously legitimate prescription history may develop red flag patterns over time. The pharmacist must evaluate the current prescription in light of the entire pattern: dose escalation, early refill requests, and prescriber change are all red flags that must be addressed. B is incorrect because established prescription history does not immunize current prescriptions from corresponding responsibility analysis. C is incorrect because while changing prescribers is a right, doing so in a pattern associated with doctor shopping is a red flag. D is incorrect because DEA reporting may be appropriate but is not the first step.

Question 4

A physician who is a DEA registrant calls the pharmacy asking to fill a prescription for oxycodone 80 mg for himself, stating he has chronic back pain and has been self-prescribing for several years. Which of the following best analyzes the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility?

  1. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the physician is a DEA registrant with legal authority to prescribe controlled substances.
  2. The pharmacist should decline to fill the prescription as self-prescribing controlled substances is not in the usual course of professional practice. (correct answer)
  3. The pharmacist may fill the prescription because the physician's medical judgment regarding his own condition is entitled to deference.
  4. The pharmacist may fill the prescription for the first occurrence but must decline any subsequent self-prescriptions.
Explanation: Self-prescribing of controlled substances is one of the clearest corresponding responsibility red flags. Under 21 CFR 1306.04, a valid controlled substance prescription must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of professional practice; a physician treating his own chronic pain condition with Schedule II opioids does not clearly satisfy this standard. Additionally, many state laws restrict or prohibit self-prescribing of controlled substances, though the specific rules vary by jurisdiction. The pharmacist should decline to fill the prescription. A is incorrect because DEA registration authorizes prescribing for patients, not for oneself; registration status alone does not resolve the corresponding responsibility analysis. C is incorrect because a physician's self-assessment of his own medical needs does not satisfy the corresponding responsibility standard, which requires the pharmacist to make an independent evaluation of prescription legitimacy. D is incorrect because there is no first-occurrence exception to the self-prescribing red flag analysis.

Question 5

A pharmacist notices a red flag -- an unusually high quantity -- on a controlled substance prescription. She calls the prescriber's office, is told the prescriber is unavailable, and leaves a message. Two hours later with no callback, she fills the prescription. Which of the following best analyzes this decision?

  1. The pharmacist satisfied corresponding responsibility by attempting to contact the prescriber; a good-faith attempt that goes unanswered shifts responsibility back to the prescriber.
  2. The pharmacist is correct to fill after two hours because patients should not wait indefinitely.
  3. The pharmacist satisfied corresponding responsibility because leaving a message constitutes reasonable verification.
  4. The pharmacist failed to resolve the red flag; corresponding responsibility requires confirmation of legitimacy before dispensing, not just an unanswered message. (correct answer)
Explanation: Corresponding responsibility requires actual resolution of red flags, not merely an attempt to resolve them. An unanswered message does not resolve the concern. The pharmacist should make additional attempts to contact the prescriber or decline to fill until the concern is addressed. A is incorrect because corresponding responsibility cannot be shifted back to the prescriber simply by attempting a call. B is incorrect because patient wait time does not override the obligation to resolve red flags before filling a suspicious prescription. C is incorrect because leaving a message and receiving no answer does not constitute verification.

Question 6

A pharmacist has filled controlled substance prescriptions for a patient for two years without concerns. The current prescription has a prescriber note: Patient reports she lost her medication again. Please fill. The patient had reported a lost medication event six months ago. Which of the following best analyzes the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility?

  1. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the prescriber has authorized the fill with an explanatory note.
  2. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the patient has an established relationship at this pharmacy.
  3. The pharmacist should fill the prescription because one prior lost medication report over two years is not a significant pattern.
  4. The pharmacist should verify the prescription's legitimacy by consulting the prescriber and reviewing the patient's prescription history. (correct answer)
Explanation: Two reported Schedule II medication losses within six months is a recognized red flag for potential diversion. The prescriber's note acknowledges the loss but does not discharge the pharmacist's independent corresponding responsibility obligation. The pharmacist should directly discuss the pattern with the prescriber and review the PDMP. A is incorrect because a prescriber's note does not discharge the pharmacist's independent corresponding responsibility. B is incorrect because established patient relationship does not override emerging red flag patterns. C is incorrect because two loss reports in six months for Schedule II opioids is beyond a minor pattern; it is a recognized diversion indicator.

Question 7

A patient presenting an oxycodone prescription demands it be filled immediately, refuses to wait for a PDMP check, and insists on immediate-release rather than extended-release formulation. Which of the following best applies?

  1. The pharmacist must immediately fill the prescription because delaying dispensing may be considered patient abandonment.
  2. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the patient's preferred formulation is their clinical choice.
  3. The pharmacist may refuse to fill due to red flags indicating potential prescription misuse. (correct answer)
  4. The pharmacist should fill the prescription but increase the monitoring frequency in the system for future tracking.
Explanation: Patient behavior signaling drug-seeking -- demanding immediate dispensing without allowing verification, resisting PDMP checks, and insisting on higher-abuse-potential formulations -- is a recognized red flag under corresponding responsibility. The pharmacist may decline based on these behavioral indicators. A is incorrect because PDMP checks and verification steps are part of the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility obligation; refusing to allow them is itself a red flag. B is incorrect because insistence on a specific formulation associated with faster onset is a clinical concern, not merely a preference. D is incorrect because proceeding to fill while flagging does not satisfy current corresponding responsibility obligations.

Question 8

A pharmacist declines to fill a Schedule II prescription because she believes it was not issued for a legitimate medical purpose. The patient demands an explanation. Which of the following best describes the pharmacist's obligations regarding documentation and communication?

  1. The pharmacist need not document the refusal or provide any explanation because refusing to fill is entirely at the pharmacist's professional discretion.
  2. The pharmacist must immediately report the prescription to the DEA before telling the patient anything.
  3. The pharmacist must provide the patient with a written explanation of the specific reasons for refusal for the refusal to be legally valid.
  4. The pharmacist should document the refusal in her records, inform the patient professionally, and advise consulting the prescriber without sharing specific suspicions. (correct answer)
Explanation: When declining based on corresponding responsibility concerns, the pharmacist should document the specific concerns in her records, inform the patient professionally, advise consultation with the prescriber, and return the prescription. Confiscation is not appropriate, and specific investigative suspicions should not be disclosed to the patient. A is incorrect because documentation of the basis for refusal is important for professional and legal protection. B is incorrect because DEA reporting may be appropriate in some situations but is not the first step before communicating with the patient. C is incorrect because a formal written explanation to the patient is not legally required for a corresponding responsibility-based refusal.

Question 9

A pharmacist fills hundreds of opioid prescriptions per week from a small number of local pain clinics without investigating any individual prescriptions, assuming the clinics are legitimate. A DEA investigation later reveals the clinics were pill mills. Which of the following best analyzes the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility exposure?

  1. The pharmacist has exposure due to failing to exercise professional judgment on the legitimacy of high-volume opioid prescriptions, violating corresponding responsibility requirements. (correct answer)
  2. The pharmacist has no exposure because she assumed the pain clinics were legitimate and lacked actual knowledge of diversion.
  3. The pharmacist has no exposure because she filled legally issued prescriptions and the prescribers' responsibility for the pill mill is not transferred to the pharmacist.
  4. The pharmacist's exposure is limited to prescriptions filled in the past 90 days.
Explanation: Corresponding responsibility cannot be set aside based on volume or assumed prescriber legitimacy. The pharmacist has an obligation to evaluate each prescription individually for red flags. A pattern of filling large volumes from pill mills without scrutiny -- even without actual knowledge of the illegal operation -- may create significant exposure based on what the pharmacist should have known. B is incorrect because corresponding responsibility includes constructive knowledge -- what the pharmacist should have known. C is incorrect because the prescribers' responsibility does not relieve the pharmacist of her own parallel responsibility. D is incorrect because there is no 90-day limitation on DEA's corresponding responsibility investigation.

Question 10

A state law requires pharmacists to check the PDMP before filling Schedule II prescriptions. A patient presents a Schedule II opioid prescription but the PDMP system is down for maintenance. Which of the following best applies?

  1. The pharmacist may fill the prescription because the inability to check the PDMP is beyond the pharmacist's control.
  2. The pharmacist must wait to fill until the PDMP is available unless state law allows exceptions for system outages. (correct answer)
  3. The pharmacist must refuse to fill permanently because a PDMP check not done at fill time can never be remedied.
  4. The pharmacist may fill the prescription but must document the PDMP check failure in the patient counseling record.
Explanation: When state law mandates PDMP checks before dispensing and the system is unavailable, the pharmacist generally cannot fill without the required check unless the state law includes a system outage exception. Many states have such provisions allowing filling with documentation of the outage. A is incorrect because unavailability of the PDMP does not automatically authorize filling when the check is legally required. C is incorrect because many states have outage exception provisions, and in some states the check can be completed once the system is available. D is incorrect because the patient counseling record is not the appropriate documentation mechanism.

Question 11

A patient presents an oxycodone prescription from an out-of-state telemedicine provider the patient has never seen in person. Which of the following best analyzes the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility obligations?

  1. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because telemedicine is a legally recognized form of medical practice.
  2. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the prescription appears facially valid with all required elements.
  3. The pharmacist must verify a valid prescriber-patient relationship and compliance with current telemedicine prescribing laws. (correct answer)
  4. The pharmacist may fill only if the patient provides documentation of the telemedicine visit.
Explanation: The pharmacist's corresponding responsibility requires evaluating whether an out-of-state telemedicine controlled substance prescription was issued pursuant to a legitimate prescriber-patient relationship and for a legitimate medical purpose. The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act established a general in-person evaluation requirement for online controlled substance prescribing; however, DEA and HHS have extended telemedicine prescribing flexibilities through December 31, 2026, which modify that requirement for certain qualifying telemedicine encounters. The pharmacist must evaluate compliance with whichever requirements are in force at the time of practice. A is incorrect because legal recognition of telemedicine does not automatically satisfy corresponding responsibility. B is incorrect because facial validity does not satisfy corresponding responsibility when legitimacy of the prescriber-patient relationship remains unresolved. D is incorrect because documentation of a visit is not the statutory standard; the underlying question is whether the applicable prescribing requirements were met.

Question 12

A pharmacist is presented on the same day with 20 patients from the same prescriber, all with the same combination of controlled substances, all paying cash, and all from the same zip code. The pharmacist has never filled prescriptions from this prescriber before. Which of the following best analyzes the situation?

  1. The pharmacist should fill all 20 prescriptions because declining would deny patients access to their medications.
  2. The pharmacist should decline to fill due to red flags indicating prescriptions may not be issued in usual professional practice. (correct answer)
  3. The pharmacist should fill prescriptions for half the patients and investigate the others to balance access and safety.
  4. The pharmacist should fill all 20 after calling the prescriber once to confirm the prescriptions are legitimate.
Explanation: The scenario presents a cluster of classic red flags: same unknown prescriber, identical prescription combinations, cash payment, same geographic origin, and 20 patients on a single day. The pharmacist's core corresponding responsibility obligation under 21 CFR 1306.04 is to decline to fill prescriptions that cannot be verified as issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice. Reporting to the DEA or state board may be a prudent and appropriate step given a pattern this strong, but the corresponding responsibility doctrine itself imposes a duty to refuse -- not a universal reporting mandate. A is incorrect because patient access concerns do not override corresponding responsibility when red flags are this numerous and systematic. C is incorrect because selective filling without a principled resolution of the red flags is not appropriate. D is incorrect because a single prescriber contact for 20 patients presenting this aggregate pattern is inadequate to resolve the red flags.

Question 13

A pharmacist has growing concerns about a prescriber whose patients frequently request the same opioid combination, all pay cash, and several show no visible signs of the chronic pain conditions listed on their prescriptions. No individual prescription is certain to be invalid. Which of the following best applies?

  1. The pharmacist must fill all prescriptions because the individual prescriptions appear facially valid.
  2. The pharmacist may not refuse without first obtaining DEA confirmation of diversion.
  3. The pharmacist should fill the prescriptions but secretly mark the patients for later review.
  4. The pharmacist may decline to fill prescriptions due to a pattern of red flags. (correct answer)
Explanation: Corresponding responsibility extends to patterns of prescribing, not only individual prescriptions. A consistent pattern of red flags across multiple patients from the same prescriber raises serious legitimacy concerns. The pharmacist may decline to fill and should document the basis for the decision. A is incorrect because face validity of individual prescriptions does not override a pattern raising corresponding responsibility concerns. B is incorrect because the pharmacist does not need DEA confirmation; professional judgment based on observable patterns is sufficient. C is incorrect because filling while secretly marking patients does not satisfy corresponding responsibility.

Question 14

A pharmacist calls a prescriber to verify an unusually high-dose Schedule II opioid prescription. The prescriber confirms the prescription is legitimate and provides a satisfactory clinical rationale. Which of the following best describes the pharmacist's situation after this conversation?

  1. The prescriber's confirmation fully discharges the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility and the prescription must be filled without further question.
  2. The pharmacist must still refuse because calling the prescriber does not satisfy corresponding responsibility.
  3. The pharmacist should fill the prescription but note only that the prescriber confirmed legitimacy.
  4. The pharmacist may fill the prescription after documenting the prescriber's satisfactory clinical rationale and conversation details. (correct answer)
Explanation: Resolving red flags through good-faith prescriber contact that yields a satisfactory clinical explanation appropriately satisfies the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility obligation and allows the prescription to be filled, with documentation of the verification. A is incorrect because while prescriber confirmation generally resolves the concern, the pharmacist's judgment about adequacy of the explanation remains; an unsatisfactory explanation still allows declining. B is incorrect because resolving red flags through prescriber verification is exactly what corresponding responsibility contemplates. C is partially correct about documentation but understates that after satisfactory verification, the prescription may be filled.

Question 15

A pharmacist receives a Schedule II prescription that appears potentially forged -- the prescription paper looks different from others from this office and the handwriting appears inconsistent; additionally, no frequency is specified. Which of the following best applies?

  1. The pharmacist must verify prescription legitimacy before filling due to suspicious characteristics and missing frequency. (correct answer)
  2. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the suspicion of forgery is not confirmed.
  3. The pharmacist may fill a partial quantity while validating the prescription.
  4. The pharmacist should fill the prescription but flag it in the system for potential investigation.
Explanation: Multiple red flags are present: suspicious physical characteristics and a missing required prescription element. The pharmacist should not fill until legitimacy is verified by contacting the prescriber using an independently verified phone number, not a number that could have been added by a forger. B is incorrect because corresponding responsibility does not require certainty of forgery before declining; red flags justify withholding pending verification. C is incorrect because filling any portion before verification is not appropriate. D is incorrect because filling while flagging does not satisfy the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility obligation.

Question 16

A patient consistently pays cash for expensive Schedule II opioid prescriptions at a pharmacy where most patients use insurance. Which of the following best describes whether this factor is relevant to the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility analysis?

  1. Cash payment is irrelevant because patients have a right to pay by any method they choose.
  2. Cash payment automatically means the prescription lacks a legitimate medical purpose and must be refused.
  3. Cash payment is a red flag suggesting potential illegitimacy, warranting further investigation alongside other factors in the pharmacist's responsibility analysis. (correct answer)
  4. Cash payment is only a red flag if the patient is uninsured; insured patients who choose to pay cash raise no concern.
Explanation: Cash payment for controlled substances is a recognized red flag because it avoids insurance record trails. It is one factor in the overall corresponding responsibility analysis -- not sufficient alone to require refusal, but significant when combined with other indicators. A is incorrect because the method of payment is a relevant red flag factor. B is incorrect because cash payment alone is not sufficient to establish that a prescription lacks legitimate medical purpose. D is incorrect because it is the behavior, not the insurance status, that raises the flag.

Question 17

A patient presents an oxycodone prescription that appears authentic and valid. A PDMP review shows the same patient has filled the same prescription at three other pharmacies during the same week, all from the same physician. The prescribing physician's awareness of the multiple fills is unknown. Which of the following best analyzes the situation?

  1. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the PDMP shows all prescriptions came from the same physician, indicating the physician is managing the patient's medications.
  2. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because the other fills were completed elsewhere and the pharmacist can only be responsible for what happens at her own pharmacy.
  3. The pharmacist should verify with the prescriber if multiple fills are authorized and decline to fill if the prescriber is unaware or lacks a legitimate explanation. (correct answer)
  4. The pharmacist should fill the prescription but report the patient to the DEA as a suspected drug diverter before dispensing.
Explanation: Multiple fills of the same prescription at different pharmacies within the same week is a classic indicator of prescription fraud or diversion. The pharmacist must contact the prescriber to determine whether the multiple fills are clinically authorized. If unauthorized or unexplained, the pharmacist must decline. A is incorrect because multiple same-week fills from the same physician are suspicious even if from one prescriber; the prescriber may be unaware. B is incorrect because corresponding responsibility requires the pharmacist to consider the full picture visible in PDMP data, not only what happens at her own pharmacy. D is incorrect because investigating comes before reporting and before any dispensing decision.

Question 18

A patient presents a prescription for oxycodone, alprazolam, and carisoprodol all written by the same physician on the same day -- a combination sometimes called the holy trinity. Which of the following best describes the pharmacist's obligation?

  1. The pharmacist must fill all three prescriptions because they were written by a licensed physician.
  2. The pharmacist must fill all three prescriptions because they are technically valid on their face.
  3. The pharmacist should verify the prescription's legitimacy by consulting the PDMP and contacting the prescriber before deciding to fill or refuse the medications. (correct answer)
  4. The pharmacist may refuse only the carisoprodol and must fill the oxycodone and alprazolam because the two alone are not a recognized pattern.
Explanation: The holy trinity combination is a well-documented red flag in DEA guidance and controlled substance abuse literature. A pharmacist presented with this pattern must exercise corresponding responsibility by investigating through PDMP review and prescriber contact, and must decline to fill if a legitimate clinical basis cannot be confirmed. A is incorrect because physician licensure does not guarantee the prescription was issued for legitimate purposes. B is incorrect because face validity does not satisfy corresponding responsibility when red flags exist. D is incorrect because the concern is the aggregate combination; the pattern as a whole is the red flag.

Question 19

A patient presents an oxycodone prescription written by a physician 150 miles away and mentions she drove past dozens of pharmacies and physicians to fill this specific prescription here. Which of the following best applies?

  1. The pharmacist must fill the prescription because patients have the right to choose any pharmacy.
  2. The pharmacist must verify the prescription's legitimacy due to the unusual travel distance before deciding to fill it. (correct answer)
  3. The prescription is valid because it was written by a physician; the patient's travel patterns are irrelevant to the pharmacist's obligation.
  4. The pharmacist should fill the prescription but note the travel distance in the patient's profile for future reference.
Explanation: A patient traveling unusual distances past many closer prescribers and pharmacies is a recognized red flag suggesting shopping for a compliant prescriber-pharmacist combination. This triggers the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility to investigate before filling. A is incorrect because the patient's right to choose a pharmacy does not relieve the pharmacist of corresponding responsibility when red flags are present. C is incorrect because the patient's travel pattern is directly relevant to corresponding responsibility analysis. D is incorrect because simply noting the distance without investigation does not satisfy corresponding responsibility.

Question 20

What is the key distinction between a prescription that is technically valid on its face and one that satisfies the pharmacist's corresponding responsibility?

  1. There is no distinction; a prescription that is valid on its face automatically satisfies corresponding responsibility.
  2. A prescription must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose to satisfy corresponding responsibility. (correct answer)
  3. A prescription satisfies corresponding responsibility as long as the prescriber's DEA number is verified as active.
  4. Corresponding responsibility is satisfied by a prescription that passes the pharmacy's computer system's DUR check.
Explanation: The central concept of corresponding responsibility is that face validity is insufficient. A prescription may have all required elements and yet be a purported prescription issued outside the usual course of professional practice. The pharmacist must exercise judgment about the legitimacy of the prescription's purpose, not only check boxes for required elements. A is incorrect because this is the most common failure mode in corresponding responsibility analysis. C is incorrect because a valid DEA number is one element of face validity but does not establish that the prescription was issued for a legitimate medical purpose. D is incorrect because DUR checks assess clinical appropriateness but do not evaluate whether the prescription was issued for legitimate purposes.