MPJE Federal Controlled Substances Act 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mid-level practitioner (NP) wishes to prescribe Schedule III controlled substances. Under the CSA, which statement is TRUE?
- Mid-level practitioners may never prescribe controlled substances under federal law
- Mid-level practitioners may prescribe controlled substances if authorized by state law and registered with the DEA (Correct answer)
- Mid-level practitioners may prescribe only Schedule IV and V substances
- Mid-level practitioners must co-sign prescriptions with a supervising physician
Correct answer: Mid-level practitioners may prescribe controlled substances if authorized by state law and registered with the DEA
Mid-level practitioners (NPs, PAs, etc.) may obtain DEA registration and prescribe controlled substances if their state law grants them that authority.
Question 2: Under the CSA, a pharmacist who knowingly fills a fraudulent controlled substance prescription is subject to:
- Civil penalties only
- Loss of DEA registration only
- Criminal prosecution under federal law (Correct answer)
- A written warning from the DEA for the first offense
Correct answer: Criminal prosecution under federal law
Knowingly filling a fraudulent controlled substance prescription violates the CSA and can result in federal criminal prosecution.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct DEA schedule for tramadol?
- Schedule II
- Schedule III
- Schedule IV (Correct answer)
- Schedule V
Correct answer: Schedule IV
Tramadol was placed in Schedule IV by the DEA effective August 18, 2014.
Question 4: A Schedule V cough preparation containing less than 200 mg of codeine per 100 mL may be dispensed without a prescription in states that permit OTC sales. Under federal law, the purchaser must be at least:
- 16 years old
- 18 years old (Correct answer)
- 21 years old
- No age requirement exists under federal law
Correct answer: 18 years old
Federal law requires purchasers of Schedule V OTC controlled substances to be at least 18 years of age.
Question 5: Under the CSA, how long must a retail pharmacy retain records for Schedule II controlled substances?
- 1 year
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 3 years
- 5 years
Correct answer: 2 years
The CSA requires that records for controlled substances be maintained for a minimum of 2 years from the date of the record.
Question 6: Which federal agency has the authority to add, remove, or transfer substances between schedules under the CSA?
- FDA only
- DEA only
- Both the DEA and FDA, working together
- The Attorney General, advised by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The Attorney General, advised by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Under the CSA, the Attorney General (acting through the DEA) has scheduling authority, but must request a scientific and medical evaluation from the Secretary of HHS before scheduling.
Question 7: A DEA registrant who wishes to surrender their registration for retirement must:
- Simply allow the registration to expire without renewal
- Transfer all controlled substances to another registrant and submit DEA Form 104 (Correct answer)
- Submit DEA Form 101 and await DEA confirmation
- Notify only the state board of pharmacy
Correct answer: Transfer all controlled substances to another registrant and submit DEA Form 104
A registrant surrendering their registration must transfer inventory to another DEA registrant and submit a DEA Form 104 (Surrender for Cause) or coordinate with the DEA for voluntary surrender.
MPJE Federal Controlled Substances Act 3
A mid-level practitioner (NP) wishes to prescribe Schedule III controlled substances.
Under the CSA, which statement is TRUE?