Ptcb Quiz: Controlled Inventory
20 questions · exam conditions
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Controlled InventoryQuestion 1 of 20

A pharmacy uses the Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) to order Schedule II medications. What is a primary advantage of using CSOS over the paper DEA Form 222?

It allows for the ordering of Schedule III-V substances at the same time as Schedule II substances.
It eliminates the need for a pharmacist to review the order.
Orders can be processed faster and have no item quantity limits per order.
Records only need to be kept for one year instead of two.
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Ptcb Quiz

Ptcb Quiz: Controlled Inventory

Practice Controlled Inventory in Ptcb 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 Controlled Inventory, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Ptcb.

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 pharmacy uses the Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) to order Schedule II medications. What is a primary advantage of using CSOS over the paper DEA Form 222?

  1. It allows for the ordering of Schedule III-V substances at the same time as Schedule II substances.
  2. It eliminates the need for a pharmacist to review the order.
  3. Orders can be processed faster and have no item quantity limits per order. (correct answer)
  4. Records only need to be kept for one year instead of two.
Explanation: CSOS offers several advantages, including faster order fulfillment (24-48 hours vs. several days for mail). A key advantage is that there are no limits on the number of items that can be ordered on a single electronic form, whereas the paper DEA Form 222 is limited to 10 line items.

Question 2

According to federal law, how must a pharmacy store its inventory of Schedule II controlled substances?

  1. In a securely locked cabinet or safe constructed of substantial material. (correct answer)
  2. Dispersed throughout the regular, non-controlled medication stock.
  3. On a designated shelf behind the pharmacy counter with a warning sign.
  4. In a separate room that is locked when the pharmacy is closed.
Explanation: The DEA requires that Schedule II controlled substances be stored in a substantially constructed cabinet or safe that is securely locked. While Schedule III-V substances can either be stored this way or dispersed throughout the non-controlled stock, the dispersal option is not permitted for Schedule II substances.

Question 3

When ordering Schedule III controlled substances from a wholesaler, which document serves as the official record of the transaction for the pharmacy?

  1. The DEA Form 222
  2. The purchase order generated by the pharmacy's software
  3. The supplier's invoice or packing slip (correct answer)
  4. A logbook entry signed by the pharmacist
Explanation: Unlike Schedule I and II substances which require a DEA Form 222 or CSOS electronic equivalent, the ordering of Schedule III, IV, and V substances is documented via the supplier's invoice. This invoice must contain specific information (drug name, strength, form, quantity, etc.) and be maintained by the pharmacy as the official record.

Question 4

If a pharmacy runs out of paper DEA Form 222s, what is the correct procedure for ordering more?

  1. Photocopy a blank Form 222 and use the copy for the next order.
  2. Contact a neighboring pharmacy to borrow a form.
  3. Submit a request for additional forms online via the DEA Diversion Control Division website. (correct answer)
  4. Place the order over the phone and have the supplier complete the form on the pharmacy's behalf.
Explanation: DEA Form 222s are serially numbered and specific to each DEA registrant. They cannot be copied, shared, or created by anyone other than the DEA. The proper method to obtain more forms is to submit a request to the DEA, which can be done easily through their official website.

Question 5

A new pharmacy is opening. Before dispensing any medications, the pharmacy must conduct an initial inventory.

Which statement about this initial inventory is correct according to federal law?

  1. Only Schedule II medications need to be included in the initial inventory.
  2. The inventory must be conducted at the close of business on the first day.
  3. An exact count of all controlled substances (Schedules II-V) on hand must be documented. (correct answer)
  4. An estimated count is acceptable for Schedule III-V drugs to save time.
Explanation: For an initial inventory, federal law requires a new registrant to take a complete and accurate count of all controlled substances in their possession. This inventory must be taken before the pharmacy opens for business on its first day. Unlike the biennial inventory, there is no provision for estimating counts for C-III to C-V drugs; an exact count is required for all controlled substances during the initial inventory.

Question 6

A pharmacy receives a partial shipment of a Schedule II medication ordered with a DEA Form 222. According to federal regulations, how long does the supplier have to send the remaining balance of the order?

  1. 14 days from the date of the partial shipment.
  2. 30 days from the date of the partial shipment.
  3. 60 days from the date the DEA Form 222 was issued. (correct answer)
  4. 90 days from the date the DEA Form 222 was issued.
Explanation: If a supplier cannot fill an entire Schedule II order at once, they may provide a partial shipment. The supplier must send the remaining portion of the order within 60 days of the date written on the DEA Form 222. After 60 days, the order form is no longer valid, and a new one must be submitted for any remaining items.

Question 7

A pharmacy technician is tasked with filing the invoice for a recent order of zolpidem. How must this record be maintained to comply with federal law?

  1. It can be filed with regular prescription records as long as it is dated.
  2. It must be filed with the DEA Form 222s for all controlled substances.
  3. It must be filed separately or in a way that makes it readily retrievable from other business records. (correct answer)
  4. It can be discarded after the pharmacy's biennial inventory is completed.
Explanation: Zolpidem is a Schedule IV drug. Invoices for Schedule III, IV, and V drugs serve as the official record of receipt and must be kept for two years. They must be filed either in a separate file for controlled substances or intermingled with non-controlled invoices, but only if they are marked with a red 'C' for easy identification, making them 'readily retrievable' for inspection.

Question 8

A pharmacy technician is checking in an order that contains both non-controlled items and several Schedule IV medications. What is the proper procedure for documenting the receipt of the Schedule IV items?

  1. Sign and date the DEA Form 222 associated with the order.
  2. Make a separate inventory list and have two pharmacists sign it.
  3. Verify the contents against the invoice, then have the receiving party sign, date, and file the invoice. (correct answer)
  4. No special documentation is needed beyond what is required for non-controlled items.
Explanation: For Schedule III, IV, and V substances, the supplier's invoice or packing slip serves as the record of receipt. The person checking in the order must verify that the drugs received match the invoice, and then the invoice must be dated, signed or initialed, and filed in a readily retrievable manner. A DEA Form 222 is not used for Schedule IV medications.

Question 9

The pharmacist is filling out a paper DEA Form 222 to order oxycodone. They make a mistake on one of the lines. What is the correct action to take?

  1. Cross out the mistake, initial the change, and complete the rest of the form.
  2. Use correction fluid to cover the mistake and write the correct information over it.
  3. Mark the entire form as 'VOID' and keep it on file, then start a new form. (correct answer)
  4. Tear off the line with the error and submit the form with the remaining lines.
Explanation: A DEA Form 222 must not contain any alterations, erasures, or changes. If a mistake is made, the entire form must be voided. The voided form (all three copies) must be retained in the pharmacy's records. A new, correct form must be used for the order.

Question 10

All records related to the ordering, receiving, and inventory of controlled substances must be maintained by the pharmacy for a minimum of how many years from the date of the record or inventory?

  1. One year
  2. Two years (correct answer)
  3. Five years
  4. Seven years
Explanation: The federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) requires that all records concerning controlled substances, including inventory, ordering (e.g., DEA Form 222s), and receiving (e.g., invoices), be maintained and available for inspection for at least two years. Some state laws may require a longer retention period, but two years is the federal minimum.

Question 11

To be considered 'readily retrievable,' invoices for Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substances must be filed in one of two ways. Which of the following is an acceptable method?

  1. Filed with non-controlled invoices, with each controlled substance item highlighted in yellow.
  2. Filed separately from all other invoices or marked with a red 'C' and filed with non-controlled invoices. (correct answer)
  3. Scanned and stored on a non-networked computer in the pharmacy manager's office.
  4. Stored off-site with an accounting firm as long as they can be delivered within 72 hours.
Explanation: DEA regulations state that invoices for C-III, C-IV, and C-V substances must be kept in such a way that they are easily accessible for inspection. The two allowed methods are: (1) maintaining them in a separate file from all other records, or (2) filing them with non-controlled invoices if they are stamped in the lower right corner with a red letter 'C' no less than one inch high.

Question 12

When a pharmacy technician unpacks a delivery that includes controlled substances, what is the first critical step before adding the drugs to inventory?

  1. Immediately place the drugs in the locked safe to ensure security.
  2. Verify the contents of the shipment against the official order record (e.g., invoice or DEA Form 222). (correct answer)
  3. Affix price labels to each bottle for efficient dispensing.
  4. Update the perpetual inventory count in the computer system.
Explanation: The most important initial step in the receiving process is to verify the shipment. The technician, under the supervision of a pharmacist, must carefully check the drug, strength, and quantity received against the original purchase order (invoice for C-III to C-V, Copy 3 of Form 222 for C-II) to ensure accuracy and accountability.

Question 13

When a pharmacy receives an order of a Schedule II controlled substance that was ordered using a paper DEA Form 222, what information must be recorded on Copy 3 (the purchaser's copy)?

  1. The signature of the delivery driver and the date received.
  2. The National Drug Code (NDC) number of each item and the initials of the receiving pharmacist.
  3. The number of containers received and the date of receipt for each item. (correct answer)
  4. The final dispensing price and the lot number of the product.
Explanation: According to federal regulation 21 CFR §1305.13(e), when a purchaser receives a shipment of Schedule II substances ordered with a DEA Form 222, they must record the number of commercial or bulk containers received of each item and the date received on Copy 3 of the form. The pharmacist who receives the order must then verify and document the receipt.

Question 14

A pharmacy technician is assisting the pharmacist with the biennial controlled substance inventory. For Schedule III, IV, and V medications, when is an estimated count permissible?

  1. Always, regardless of the container size.
  2. Only for opened containers holding 1,000 dosage units or fewer. (correct answer)
  3. Only for sealed, unopened containers from the manufacturer.
  4. Never; an exact count is always required for all controlled substances.
Explanation: Federal law requires an exact count of all Schedule II substances. For Schedule III, IV, and V substances, an exact count is required for all sealed containers. For opened containers, an estimated count is permissible only if the original container held 1,000 dosage units (e.g., tablets, capsules) or fewer. If the opened container held more than 1,000 units, an exact count is required.

Question 15

A pharmacy must conduct a complete and accurate inventory of all controlled substances on hand at least once every:

  1. Six months.
  2. Year.
  3. Two years. (correct answer)
  4. Three years.
Explanation: The DEA requires a registered pharmacy to conduct a biennial inventory, which is a physical count of all controlled substances in its possession. This inventory must be done at least every two years after the date of the initial inventory.

Question 16

A new drug, previously not controlled, is now designated a Schedule IV substance by the DEA. What inventory action must the pharmacy take?

  1. No action is needed until the next scheduled biennial inventory.
  2. An inventory of the newly scheduled drug must be taken on the date it becomes scheduled. (correct answer)
  3. The pharmacy must return all existing stock to the manufacturer.
  4. The drug must be inventoried and added to the Schedule II records.
Explanation: Whenever a drug is newly added to a schedule of controlled substances, every DEA registrant who possesses that substance must take an inventory of all stock of that substance on hand on the effective date of the scheduling. This inventory is then kept with the pharmacy's other controlled substance records.

Question 17

A pharmacy discovers that a book of unused DEA Form 222s has been stolen. What is the immediate action the pharmacist must take?

  1. Order a new set of forms and change the pharmacy's locks.
  2. Report the theft to the local police department and the Board of Pharmacy within 48 hours.
  3. Report the theft, including the serial numbers of the missing forms, to the local DEA Diversion Field Office. (correct answer)
  4. Conduct a complete inventory of all Schedule II drugs to ensure none were taken with the forms.
Explanation: The loss or theft of any used or unused DEA Form 222 must be reported immediately upon discovery to the special agent in charge of the local DEA Diversion Field Office. The report must include the serial numbers of the forms that were lost or stolen. While conducting an inventory (D) is a prudent measure, the required immediate action is notification to the DEA.

Question 18

When a pharmacy sends a paper DEA Form 222 to a supplier, Copies 1 and 2 are sent, while Copy 3 is retained. What does the supplier do with these two copies after filling the order?

  1. Retains Copy 1 for their files and forwards Copy 2 to the DEA. (correct answer)
  2. Retains Copy 2 for their files and forwards Copy 1 to the DEA.
  3. Sends both Copy 1 and Copy 2 back to the pharmacy with the shipment.
  4. Retains both Copy 1 and Copy 2 for their files for two years.
Explanation: The three copies of the DEA Form 222 are distributed as follows: The pharmacy (purchaser) keeps Copy 3 (blue). The supplier who fills the order keeps Copy 1 (brown) for their records. The supplier must then forward Copy 2 (green) to the DEA by the end of the month during which the order was filled.

Question 19

Who is legally permitted to sign a paper DEA Form 222 or its electronic equivalent (CSOS order) to purchase Schedule II controlled substances?

  1. Any pharmacy technician who has completed DEA-approved training.
  2. The pharmacist-in-charge or an individual granted a Power of Attorney by the DEA registrant. (correct answer)
  3. Only the individual whose name appears on the pharmacy's DEA registration certificate.
  4. Any licensed pharmacist working on the day the order is placed.
Explanation: The authority to order C-II substances rests with the person who signed the DEA registration application (the registrant). This person can delegate this authority to one or more other individuals by executing a Power of Attorney (POA). This can include other pharmacists or even technicians, but the authority comes from the POA, not their job title or license alone.

Question 20

Which of the following is a key security requirement when storing controlled substances that have been dispersed throughout the regular stock?

  1. This storage method is only permissible for Schedule V medications.
  2. The pharmacy must be located within a hospital or other secure institution.
  3. A pharmacist must physically check the dispersed stock twice per day.
  4. This method is only permitted for Schedules III-V, not for Schedule II. (correct answer)
Explanation: Federal law allows pharmacies the option to store Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substances by dispersing them throughout their stock of non-controlled substances. This method helps to obstruct theft or diversion. However, this option is never permitted for Schedule II substances, which must be kept in a securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet or safe.