Ptcb Quiz: Controlled Prescription Rules
20 questions · exam conditions
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Controlled Prescription RulesQuestion 1 of 20

Under federal law, which schedules may be prescribed orally if otherwise valid and documented?

Schedules I and II only
Schedule II only
Schedules I-V
Schedules III-V only
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Ptcb Quiz

Ptcb Quiz: Controlled Prescription Rules

Practice Controlled Prescription Rules 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 Prescription Rules, 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.

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Question 1

Under federal law, which schedules may be prescribed orally if otherwise valid and documented?

  1. Schedules I and II only
  2. Schedule II only
  3. Schedules I-V
  4. Schedules III-V only (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of federal requirements for controlled substance prescriptions, specifically oral prescribing allowances. The Controlled Substances Act establishes rules for handling prescriptions, including oral options for certain schedules. Schedules III-V may be prescribed orally if valid and documented. The correct answer reflects the federal guideline excluding Schedule II, demonstrating understanding of DEA regulations. A common distractor might include all schedules, ignoring restrictions. To aid understanding, teach the importance of distinguishing between DEA schedules and emphasize documentation. Practice handling oral orders in pharmacy settings.

Question 2

Under federal law, which schedules may be transferred between pharmacies only if refills remain?

  1. Schedules II-III
  2. Schedules I-II
  3. Schedule II only
  4. Schedules III-V (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of federal requirements for controlled substance prescriptions, specifically transfer allowances. The Controlled Substances Act establishes rules for handling prescriptions, including transfers for certain schedules. Schedules III-V may be transferred if refills remain, via pharmacist communication. The correct answer reflects the federal guideline excluding Schedule II, demonstrating understanding of DEA regulations. A common distractor might include Schedule II, ignoring prohibitions. To aid understanding, teach the importance of distinguishing between DEA schedules and emphasize transfer protocols. Practice executing transfers safely.

Question 3

A physician calls the pharmacy with an emergency prescription for meperidine for a patient in severe pain, providing only enough for a 72-hour supply. What is the pharmacy required to receive from the prescriber within 7 days of this emergency fill?

  1. A verbal confirmation with a call-back number.
  2. A faxed copy of the patient's medical chart.
  3. A written or electronic prescription for the emergency quantity. (correct answer)
  4. A new prescription for a 30-day supply.
Explanation: For an emergency oral prescription of a Schedule II substance like meperidine, federal law requires the pharmacist to receive a signed, written prescription or a valid electronic prescription from the prescriber for the emergency quantity dispensed. This 'covering' prescription must be received within 7 days.

Question 4

When a pharmacy technician assists a pharmacist in transferring a prescription for tramadol to another pharmacy, what action must be taken on the original hardcopy prescription?

  1. The word 'VOID' must be written on its face. (correct answer)
  2. It must be shredded immediately after the transfer.
  3. A copy must be faxed to the DEA.
  4. The original prescriber must be notified.
Explanation: When a Schedule III, IV, or V prescription is transferred out to another pharmacy, federal law requires that the transferring pharmacist writes the word 'VOID' on the face of the invalidated prescription. Information about the transfer must also be recorded on the back of the prescription.

Question 5

A patient has a prescription for phenobarbital with three refills. After the second refill, the patient moves to another state and wants to transfer the prescription. Which statement is true regarding this transfer?

  1. The transfer must be communicated between two licensed pharmacists. (correct answer)
  2. The patient can request the transfer by calling both pharmacies.
  3. A pharmacy technician can handle the entire transfer process independently.
  4. The original paper prescription must be mailed to the new pharmacy.
Explanation: Phenobarbital is a Schedule IV controlled substance. Federal law mandates that the transfer of a controlled substance prescription must be communicated directly between two licensed pharmacists, even if technicians assist in gathering information.

Question 6

A patient has a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine #3 that has been refilled five times. The prescriber's office calls the pharmacy and authorizes five more refills. How should the pharmacy handle this request?

  1. Add five more refills to the existing prescription number.
  2. Tell the patient to ask the prescriber for a written prescription.
  3. Treat the authorization as a new oral prescription. (correct answer)
  4. Refill the prescription one more time as an emergency supply.
Explanation: Tylenol with Codeine #3 is a Schedule III medication. Once a C-III or C-IV prescription has reached its limit of 5 refills or 6 months, any new authorization from a prescriber must be treated as a new prescription. It can be taken orally (phoned in) and assigned a new prescription number.

Question 7

A patient has a prescription for 90 fentanyl patches. The pharmacy has only 30 patches in stock. The patient agrees to take the partial amount. If the patient is not terminally ill or in an LTCF, how long does the pharmacy have to dispense the remaining balance?

  1. 24 hours
  2. 72 hours (correct answer)
  3. 7 days
  4. 30 days
Explanation: When a pharmacy is unable to supply the full quantity of a Schedule II prescription, a partial fill is permitted. However, according to federal law, the remaining portion of the prescription must be filled within 72 hours of the partial filling. If it is not filled within that timeframe, the remainder is void and a new prescription is required.

Question 8

A patient presents a prescription for Ambien 10mg dated two months ago. The prescription authorizes 2 refills. The patient has not filled it before. Is this prescription still valid for its first fill?

  1. No, C-IV prescriptions must be filled within 30 days of the date written.
  2. Yes, the prescription is valid for filling and refills for up to 6 months from the date of issue. (correct answer)
  3. No, because it has refills, it must be filled within 7 days of the date written.
  4. Yes, but only the initial fill is allowed; the refills are now void.
Explanation: Ambien (zolpidem) is a Schedule IV controlled substance. According to federal law, a C-IV prescription is valid for 6 months from the date it was written. This applies to both the initial fill and any subsequent refills within that 6-month window.

Question 9

A patient requests to transfer their remaining refills for a clonazepam prescription from another pharmacy. The two pharmacies do not share a real-time, online database. According to federal law, how many times may this prescription be transferred?

  1. Zero times, as C-IV prescriptions cannot be transferred.
  2. One time only. (correct answer)
  3. Up to five times.
  4. An unlimited number of times within 6 months.
Explanation: Clonazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance. Federal law permits a one-time transfer of a prescription for a Schedule III, IV, or V substance between two pharmacies that do not share a common database, provided it has been filled at least once at the original pharmacy. If the pharmacies share a real-time database, it may be transferred up to the maximum number of refills permitted.

Question 10

A patient in a long-term care facility (LTCF) has a prescription for morphine sulfate solution. The pharmacy dispenses a partial quantity. For how long from the date of issue can the pharmacy continue to provide partial fills for this prescription?

  1. 24 hours
  2. 72 hours
  3. 30 days
  4. 60 days (correct answer)
Explanation: For patients who are in a Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) or who are terminally ill, federal law allows for partial filling of Schedule II prescriptions. The prescription is valid for dispensing in partial quantities for a period not to exceed 60 days from the issue date.

Question 11

A patient presents a valid electronic prescription for hydrocodone/acetaminophen to Pharmacy A. Pharmacy A is out of stock of the medication. The patient asks if the prescription can be sent to Pharmacy B to be filled.

According to federal regulations for Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances (EPCS), what is the procedure for this unfilled Schedule II prescription?

  1. The prescription cannot be transferred; the patient must get a new one from the prescriber.
  2. Pharmacy A can print the prescription and the patient can take the hardcopy to Pharmacy B.
  3. The pharmacist at Pharmacy A can transfer the electronic prescription to Pharmacy B. (correct answer)
  4. The patient can request the prescriber cancel the first prescription and send a new one to Pharmacy B.
Explanation: Effective August 28, 2023, the DEA allows a pharmacy to perform a one-time electronic transfer of an original, unfilled electronic prescription for a Schedule II-V controlled substance to another pharmacy. Therefore, the pharmacist at Pharmacy A can forward the electronic prescription to Pharmacy B for dispensing.

Question 12

A prescription for butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine is presented. This combination product is a Schedule III controlled substance. If the prescriber does not specify a number of refills, how should the prescription be interpreted?

  1. As having zero refills. (correct answer)
  2. As having one refill.
  3. As having the maximum of five refills.
  4. As being valid for one year of refills.
Explanation: For any prescription, including controlled substances, if the prescriber does not explicitly authorize any refills, the prescription is considered to have zero refills. The pharmacy cannot assume refills are intended.

Question 13

Under federal law, which controlled substance schedule has no accepted medical use and cannot be prescribed?

  1. Schedule V
  2. Schedule III
  3. Schedule I (correct answer)
  4. Schedule II
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of federal requirements for controlled substance prescriptions, specifically schedules with no medical use. The Controlled Substances Act establishes rules for handling prescriptions, including limits on refills and transfers based on drug schedules. Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and cannot be prescribed. The correct answer reflects the federal guideline for Schedule I, demonstrating understanding of DEA regulations. A common distractor might select Schedule V, misunderstanding abuse potentials. To aid understanding, teach the importance of distinguishing between DEA schedules and emphasize prescribing restrictions. Practice identifying non-prescribable schedules.

Question 14

A patient presents a new, valid, written prescription for oxycodone. According to federal law, what is the maximum number of refills that may be authorized by the prescriber on this prescription?

  1. Zero (correct answer)
  2. One
  3. Five
  4. Eleven
Explanation: Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance. According to federal law, prescriptions for Schedule II medications cannot be refilled. A new prescription is required each time the medication is dispensed. The other options represent incorrect refill limits.

Question 15

A new prescription for zolpidem is written on June 1st with 5 refills authorized. What is the latest date that a patient can obtain a refill for this prescription according to federal law?

  1. July 1st of the same year
  2. December 1st of the same year (correct answer)
  3. June 1st of the next year
  4. There is no expiration date
Explanation: Zolpidem is a Schedule IV controlled substance. Prescriptions for Schedule III and IV substances expire 6 months after the date they are written. Therefore, a prescription written on June 1st would expire on December 1st of the same year.

Question 16

What is the maximum number of refills federally permitted on a new prescription for testosterone cypionate injection?

  1. 0 refills
  2. 1 refill
  3. 5 refills within 6 months (correct answer)
  4. 11 refills within 12 months
Explanation: Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance. According to federal law, prescriptions for Schedule III and IV medications may be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months of the date the prescription was written, if authorized by the prescriber.

Question 17

A prescriber issues a patient three separate prescriptions for Adderall XR on the same day, each for a 30-day supply. What must be included on the second and third prescriptions for them to be valid?

  1. The pharmacist's initials.
  2. The diagnosis code.
  3. An earliest fill date, such as 'Do not fill until...' (correct answer)
  4. A note authorizing a 90-day supply.
Explanation: Federal law allows prescribers to issue multiple prescriptions for a Schedule II substance on the same day for up to a 90-day total supply. However, each subsequent prescription (after the first) must include written instructions indicating the earliest date on which it may be filled.

Question 18

When a pharmacy receives a transferred prescription for a controlled substance, such as lorazepam, which DEA number(s) must be recorded on the new prescription record?

  1. Only the prescriber's DEA number.
  2. Only the transferring pharmacy's DEA number.
  3. The DEA numbers of the prescriber, the transferring pharmacy, and the receiving pharmacy. (correct answer)
  4. No DEA numbers are required for a transferred prescription.
Explanation: The receiving pharmacy's records for a transferred controlled substance prescription must include all essential prescription information plus the DEA registration numbers of the prescriber and both the transferring and receiving pharmacies, ensuring a clear audit trail.

Question 19

A prescription for pregabalin is received at the pharmacy. Which of the following rules for refills is correct according to federal law?

  1. It cannot be refilled.
  2. It can be refilled up to 11 times in one year.
  3. It can be refilled up to 5 times in 6 months. (correct answer)
  4. It requires a new prescription every 30 days.
Explanation: Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a Schedule V controlled substance. Federally, the refill regulations for Schedule V substances are often treated the same as those for Schedule III and IV substances, allowing for a maximum of 5 refills within a 6-month period from the date of issue, if authorized by the prescriber.

Question 20

A pharmacy receives a written prescription for Ritalin for an adult patient. Which of the following elements is required on the prescription for it to be valid for dispensing?

  1. Patient's insurance information.
  2. Prescriber's NPI number.
  3. Prescriber's DEA number. (correct answer)
  4. Patient's diagnosis.
Explanation: Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a Schedule II controlled substance. A valid prescription for any controlled substance must contain several key elements, including the full name and address of the patient, the drug name, strength, dosage form, quantity, directions for use, and the name, address, and DEA registration number of the prescriber.