MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination Quiz: Refills And Partial Fills
18 questions · exam conditions
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Refills And Partial FillsQuestion 1 of 18

On May 1st, a pharmacy receives a valid prescription for MS Contin 15 mg #240 for a patient in a LTCF. The prescription is dated May 1st. The pharmacy dispenses #60 tablets on May 2nd, #60 on May 15th, and #60 on May 30th. On June 25th, the LTCF nurse calls to request the remaining medication for the patient. What is the maximum number of tablets the pharmacist can dispense?

60
30
0
45
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MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination Quiz

MPJE: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination Quiz: Refills And Partial Fills

Practice Refills And Partial Fills 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 Refills And Partial Fills, 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

On May 1st, a pharmacy receives a valid prescription for MS Contin 15 mg #240 for a patient in a LTCF. The prescription is dated May 1st. The pharmacy dispenses #60 tablets on May 2nd, #60 on May 15th, and #60 on May 30th. On June 25th, the LTCF nurse calls to request the remaining medication for the patient. What is the maximum number of tablets the pharmacist can dispense?

  1. 60 (correct answer)
  2. 30
  3. 0
  4. 45
Explanation: For an LTCF patient, a Schedule II prescription is valid for partial fills for up to 60 days from the date of issue. The prescription was written on May 1st, so it is valid until June 30th. Total prescribed was 240 tablets. A total of 180 tablets (60x3) have been dispensed. The remaining balance is 240 - 180 = 60 tablets. The request on June 25th is within the 60-day window, so the pharmacist can dispense the full remaining balance of 60 tablets.

Question 2

A prescription for testosterone cypionate (C-III), 1 mL vial, #1 with 5 refills, is written on February 10th. The patient fills the original and four refills. On August 15th, the patient requests to pick up the fifth and final refill. What is the maximum quantity the pharmacist may dispense?

  1. 1.0 mL, because a valid refill remains.
  2. 1.0 mL, because the request is within 6 months of the last fill.
  3. 0.5 mL, as a courtesy partial fill pending a new prescription.
  4. 0 mL, because the prescription has expired. (correct answer)
Explanation: Prescriptions for Schedule III controlled substances expire 6 months after the date of issue. The prescription was written on February 10th, making its expiration date August 10th. The patient's request on August 15th is after the prescription has legally expired, even though a refill appears to be remaining. Therefore, no medication can be dispensed from this prescription.

Question 3

A valid prescription for morphine sulfate ER 30 mg, quantity #180, is written on March 15th for a patient documented as having a terminal illness. The pharmacy provides partial fills of 45 tablets on March 18th, April 5th, and April 25th. On May 16th, the patient's caregiver requests another 45 tablets. What is the maximum quantity the pharmacist may dispense on May 16th?

  1. 45 tablets, as this is the remaining balance on the prescription.
  2. 0 tablets, because the prescription expired 60 days after the first partial fill.
  3. 45 tablets, because the prescription is valid as long as the patient's diagnosis remains terminal.
  4. 0 tablets, because the prescription expired 60 days after the date it was issued. (correct answer)
Explanation: For patients who are terminally ill or in a Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF), Schedule II prescriptions may be partially filled for up to 60 days from the date of issue. The prescription was issued on March 15th. The 60-day validity period ends on May 14th. The request on May 16th is outside this period, making the prescription invalid. Therefore, the pharmacist cannot dispense any quantity.

Question 4

On August 1st, a pharmacy receives a new prescription for Tylenol with Codeine #3, quantity #120, with 5 refills authorized. The patient asks to receive only 30 tablets at a time. The patient picks up 30 tablets on August 1st, August 30th, September 28th, and October 26th. Following the October 26th dispensing, how many refills has the patient used?

  1. 0 (correct answer)
  2. 1
  3. 3
  4. 4
Explanation: The four dispensings of 30 tablets each total 120 tablets, which is the full quantity of the original prescription. Partial fillings of a C-III through C-V prescription are not considered refills. They are recorded as partial dispensings against the original fill quantity. Only after the full 120 tablets have been dispensed would the next dispensing count as the first refill.

Question 5

On May 10th, a patient presents a valid prescription for hydromorphone 2 mg, quantity #40, dated May 10th. The patient requests to receive only 20 tablets now due to concerns about side effects and wishes to pick up the remainder later if needed. The pharmacy has the full quantity in stock. According to the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), what is the latest date the patient can receive the remaining 20 tablets?

  1. May 13th
  2. June 9th (correct answer)
  3. July 9th
  4. The remainder is void because the pharmacy was not out of stock.
Explanation: Under the CARA, if a Schedule II prescription is partially filled at the request of the patient or prescriber, the remaining portion must be filled no later than 30 days after the date on which the prescription was written. The prescription was written on May 10th. Therefore, the remainder must be filled by June 9th. The 72-hour out-of-stock rule does not apply here.

Question 6

A patient with a valid prescription for alprazolam 0.5 mg #90 requests a partial fill of 30 tablets. The pharmacist dispenses the 30 tablets. According to federal record-keeping requirements for a manual system, what information must be documented on the back of the original prescription for this partial fill?

  1. The date, quantity dispensed, and the dispensing pharmacist's initials.
  2. The date, quantity dispensed, quantity remaining, and the dispensing pharmacist's initials. (correct answer)
  3. The date, quantity dispensed, the dispensing pharmacist's initials, and a notation that this was the first partial fill.
  4. The date, quantity dispensed, total quantity dispensed to date for that prescription, and the dispensing pharmacist's initials.
Explanation: Federal law (21 CFR 1306.24) requires that for each partial filling of a Schedule III or IV controlled substance, the dispensing pharmacist must record on the back of the prescription (or on another appropriate document) the date of the partial filling, quantity dispensed, the remaining quantity authorized to be dispensed, and the identification of the dispensing pharmacist.

Question 7

A physician writes a prescription for diphenoxylate/atropine, quantity #60, with instructions to 'refill PRN'. The prescription is dated March 1st. What is the maximum number of refills allowed and what is the prescription's expiration date under federal law?

  1. Unlimited refills, expires one year from the date of issue.
  2. 5 refills, expires six months from the date of issue. (correct answer)
  3. 11 refills, expires one year from the date of issue.
  4. 0 refills, as 'PRN' is not a valid refill authorization for a controlled substance.
Explanation: Diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil) is a Schedule V controlled substance. Federally, Schedule V prescriptions are treated the same as Schedule III and IV prescriptions regarding refills. They are limited to a maximum of 5 refills within 6 months of the date of issue. The 'PRN' instruction is interpreted as authorizing the maximum allowable refills, which is 5. The prescription expires 6 months from the date of issue, which would be September 1st.

Question 8

A patient has a prescription for buprenorphine/naloxone 8/2 mg films #60 with 2 refills at Pharmacy A. The patient fills the initial prescription but only takes 30 films. The patient moves to a new city and wants to transfer the prescription to Pharmacy B to get the remaining 30 films from the original fill plus the 2 refills. According to federal law, which of the following is true?

  1. The entire remaining prescription, including the partial balance and refills, can be transferred once.
  2. Only the 2 complete refills can be transferred; the partial balance of the original fill is forfeited.
  3. The transfer is prohibited because the prescription has already been partially dispensed. (correct answer)
  4. The transfer is allowed only if Pharmacy A and Pharmacy B share a real-time, online database.
Explanation: According to DEA guidance, a prescription for a controlled substance in Schedules III-V that has been partially filled cannot be transferred to another pharmacy for dispensing of the remaining portion. The patient must either return to the original pharmacy (Pharmacy A) to obtain the rest of the initial fill or forfeit that remaining balance.

Question 9

On October 1st, a physician issues a patient three separate prescriptions for Adderall XR 20mg #30. Prescription #1 is dated Oct 1st. Prescription #2 is dated Oct 1st with a 'Do Not Fill Until Nov 1st' notation. On Oct 10th, the patient requests to partially fill Prescription #1, taking only 15 capsules due to cost. What is the latest date the patient can retrieve the remaining 15 capsules of Prescription #1?

  1. October 13th
  2. The remainder is void as partial fills are only for out-of-stock situations.
  3. November 9th
  4. October 31st (correct answer)
Explanation: This is a patient-requested partial fill of a Schedule II substance, governed by the CARA. The rule states the remainder must be filled within 30 days of the date the prescription was written. The prescription was written on October 1st. Therefore, the patient has until October 31st to pick up the remaining balance. The 72-hour rule is for out-of-stock situations, and the other prescriptions are irrelevant to this specific partial fill.

Question 10

A retail pharmacy receives an electronic prescription for carisoprodol (C-IV) 350 mg #90. The pharmacy dispenses #30 tablets to the patient from its own stock. The pharmacist then attempts to transmit the information for the remaining #60 tablets to its contracted central fill pharmacy. Is this action permissible under federal law?

  1. Yes, if the retail and central fill pharmacies share a real-time, online database.
  2. Yes, as long as the total quantity dispensed by both pharmacies does not exceed #90.
  3. No, because carisoprodol is a controlled substance that cannot be filled by a central fill pharmacy.
  4. No, because a central fill pharmacy cannot dispense the remainder of a partial fill initiated by the retail pharmacy. (correct answer)
Explanation: Federal regulations (21 CFR §1306.25) do not permit a retail pharmacy to partially fill a controlled substance prescription and then have a central fill pharmacy process the remaining balance. A central fill pharmacy is authorized to fill original and refill prescriptions transmitted from a retail pharmacy, but not partial balances.

Question 11

A pharmacist is documenting a partial filling of a prescription for fentanyl patches for a patient with a documented terminal illness. Federal law requires the pharmacist to record the date dispensed, quantity dispensed, and remaining quantity authorized for each partial fill. What other piece of information is explicitly required to be documented for each dispensing?

  1. The diagnosis code confirming terminal illness.
  2. The signature of the patient or their authorized agent.
  3. The identification of the dispensing pharmacist. (correct answer)
  4. The name and address of the long-term care facility, if applicable.
Explanation: According to 21 CFR §1306.13(b), for each partial filling for a terminally ill or LTCF patient, the pharmacist shall record on the prescription the date of the partial filling, quantity dispensed, remaining quantity authorized to be dispensed, and the identification of the dispensing pharmacist. While knowing the patient's status is required, documenting it with each fill is not; the pharmacist's identification is.

Question 12

On Monday, March 11th, at 10:00 AM, a pharmacy partially fills a prescription for methylphenidate ER, dispensing 10 of the 30 prescribed tablets due to being out of stock. The pharmacy's stock arrives the next day and the patient is notified. The patient arrives to pick up the remaining 20 tablets on Friday, March 15th, at 2:00 PM. What is the pharmacist's most appropriate course of action?

  1. Do not dispense the medication and inform the patient a new prescription is needed. (correct answer)
  2. Dispense the remaining 20 tablets as the pharmacy notified the patient in a timely manner.
  3. Dispense the remaining 20 tablets as the prescription itself is still valid for several weeks.
  4. Dispense a 3-day supply from the remaining balance and void the rest.
Explanation: When a Schedule II prescription is partially filled due to an out-of-stock situation, the remaining portion must be filled within 72 hours of the partial filling. The partial fill occurred on Monday, March 11th, at 10:00 AM. The 72-hour window expired on Thursday, March 14th, at 10:00 AM. The patient's arrival on Friday, March 15th, is outside this window. The pharmacist cannot dispense the balance and must notify the prescriber. A new prescription is required.

Question 13

A patient presents a new prescription for metformin 500 mg #60 with 'refill PRN' written by the prescriber on April 1, 2023. The patient has been filling it regularly. On May 15, 2024, the patient requests a refill. Assuming state law defines non-controlled prescription validity as one year, what is the most appropriate action?

  1. Dispense the refill as 'PRN' indicates it is valid as long as the prescriber-patient relationship exists.
  2. Contact the prescriber to confirm the number of refills as 'PRN' is ambiguous.
  3. Inform the patient that a new prescription is required as the original has expired. (correct answer)
  4. Dispense a 14-day supply and send a refill request to the prescriber's office.
Explanation: For non-controlled substances, 'PRN' refills are generally interpreted to be valid for a maximum of one year from the date of issue, unless state law specifies otherwise. The prescription was issued on April 1, 2023, and thus expired on April 1, 2024. The refill request on May 15, 2024, is after the expiration date. The correct action is to inform the patient that the prescription is expired and a new one is needed.

Question 14

A physician calls a pharmacy with an emergency oral prescription for a 3-day supply of oxycodone for a patient with a severe injury. The pharmacy only has enough stock for a 2-day supply. The pharmacist confirms the prescriber will provide a written cover prescription. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. Dispense the 2-day supply and provide the final day's supply when the medication is back in stock, up to 72 hours later.
  2. Refuse to fill the prescription until the full quantity for the emergency period is available.
  3. Dispense the 2-day supply and inform the prescriber that the cover prescription must be for the quantity actually dispensed. (correct answer)
  4. Dispense the 2-day supply and create a new emergency prescription for the remaining day's supply when it arrives.
Explanation: In an emergency C-II situation, the pharmacist may only dispense a quantity sufficient for the emergency period. If the pharmacy cannot supply the full quantity, they can dispense what they have. However, the remainder cannot be filled later. The pharmacist must dispense the partial amount, consider the prescription complete, and the prescriber's follow-up written prescription must match the quantity that was actually dispensed (the 2-day supply).

Question 15

A pharmacy has a prescription on file for phentermine 37.5 mg with no refills remaining. A medical assistant from the prescriber's office calls the pharmacy and states, 'Dr. Jones authorized two more refills on the phentermine.' How should the pharmacist legally handle this authorization?

  1. Treat the call as a new oral prescription and create a new prescription number. (correct answer)
  2. Add two refills to the existing prescription number as authorized.
  3. Inform the medical assistant that authorizations for C-IV refills cannot be transmitted orally.
  4. Add one refill to the prescription and request a written authorization for the second.
Explanation: While an agent of the prescriber can communicate a prescription, they cannot legally authorize it themselves. A refill authorization is a medical decision made by the prescriber. To maintain a clear audit trail and adhere to legal standards, this communication should not be treated as adding refills to an old prescription. Instead, it must be handled as a new oral prescription, transcribed to writing with all required information, and assigned a new prescription number.

Question 16

A valid prescription for zolpidem 10 mg #30 with 5 refills is written and dated January 20th. The patient has it filled on January 21st, February 20th, and March 22nd. On July 25th, the patient requests another refill, stating there are still refills remaining. What is the most appropriate action for the pharmacist?

  1. Dispense the refill since there are 2 refills remaining on the prescription.
  2. Inform the patient that a new prescription is needed because the original has expired. (correct answer)
  3. Dispense the refill as it has been less than 6 months since the last fill.
  4. Dispense a 3-day emergency supply and contact the prescriber for a new prescription.
Explanation: Prescriptions for Schedule III and IV controlled substances, like zolpidem, expire 6 months after the date of issue. The prescription was written on January 20th, so it expired on July 20th. Even though refills remain, the prescription is no longer valid. The pharmacist must refuse the refill and inform the patient a new prescription is required.

Question 17

A state law permits a pharmacist to dispense an emergency, one-time refill of a non-controlled substance for up to a 30-day supply if the prescriber cannot be reached and the patient's health is at risk. The law requires the pharmacist to document the event and inform the prescriber within 72 hours.

A patient with a history of hypertension presents to the pharmacy on a Saturday with an empty bottle of losartan 50 mg. The prescription label indicates no refills remain. The patient states they are unable to get an appointment with their doctor for another week. The prescriber's office is closed. Based on the state law described, which action is most appropriate?

  1. Dispense a 3-day supply to minimize risk until the prescriber can be contacted.
  2. Refuse to dispense any medication as there are no authorized refills.
  3. Dispense a 30-day supply and document it as an emergency fill. (correct answer)
  4. Advise the patient to go to an urgent care clinic to obtain a new prescription.
Explanation: The scenario provides a specific state law that empowers the pharmacist to act. The patient has a chronic condition (hypertension), interruption of therapy poses a health risk, and the prescriber is unavailable. The state law explicitly allows for up to a 30-day supply in this situation. Therefore, dispensing a 30-day supply is the most appropriate action that aligns with the law provided.

Question 18

In a hypothetical state, regulations specify that a Schedule II prescription may only be partially filled if the pharmacy is unable to supply the full quantity. The state has no provision for patient-requested partial fills of Schedule II substances.

A patient presents a valid prescription for OxyContin #60. The patient asks the pharmacist to dispense only #30 now and the rest in two weeks, as they will be traveling. Federal law (CARA) permits this. Based on the provided state regulation, what is the pharmacist's most appropriate action?

  1. Follow federal law and dispense #30, informing the patient to return within 30 days for the balance.
  2. Explain that state law prohibits this type of partial fill and offer to fill the full quantity or hold the prescription. (correct answer)
  3. Dispense #30 and inform the patient the remainder of the prescription is void per state law.
  4. Contact the prescriber to request two separate prescriptions for #30 each.
Explanation: When federal and state laws differ, the pharmacist must follow the stricter of the two. In this case, the state law is stricter than the federal CARA, as it does not permit patient-requested partial fills of C-IIs. Therefore, the pharmacist cannot honor the patient's request. The most appropriate action is to explain the legal constraint and discuss other options, such as filling the full amount.