CFPN Drug Diversion Investigation and Prevention

Question 1

What is pharmaceutical drug diversion?

Accepted Answer

The illegal redirection of prescription medications from their intended purpose to illicit use

Answer

Switching patients between equivalent medications

Answer

The process of transferring medications between hospital units

Answer

Administering medications by a route other than prescribed

Question 2

Which federal agency is primarily responsible for investigating pharmaceutical drug diversion by healthcare professionals?

Accepted Answer

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Answer

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Answer

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Answer

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Question 3

Which of the following is a common behavioral red flag indicating possible drug diversion by a healthcare employee?

Accepted Answer

Frequent requests to work night shifts alone near the medication room

Answer

Consistently documenting medication waste

Answer

Taking scheduled breaks at regular times

Answer

Requesting reassignment to a different unit

Question 4

When a discrepancy is found in controlled substance counts, what is the first step the forensic pharmacy nurse should take?

Accepted Answer

Document the discrepancy and report it to the supervisor and pharmacy immediately

Answer

Resolve the discrepancy internally before reporting

Answer

Assume it was a counting error and recount

Answer

Notify the patient whose medication is involved

Question 5

Which data source is most useful for identifying patterns of drug diversion in a hospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) transaction logs

Answer

Patient satisfaction surveys

Answer

Nursing schedule calendars

Answer

Pharmacy purchasing invoices only

Question 6

The Controlled Substances Act classifies drugs into schedules based primarily on what criteria?

Accepted Answer

Medical use, abuse potential, and safety under medical supervision

Answer

Cost of manufacture and availability

Answer

Country of origin and chemical class

Answer

FDA approval status and patent duration