N677 Controlled Substance Exam Practice
Test 2026 | Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationales for Safe Medication
Administration and Legal Compliance
EXAM OVERVIEW
Feature Details
N677 (Advanced Pharmacology / Nurse Practitioner - Controlled
Course
Substances)
Federal and state controlled substance laws, DEA regulations,
Focus Areas
prescribing practices, schedule classifications, patient safety
Question
Multiple choice, select all that apply, case scenarios
Format
Primary
Controlled Substances Act (CSA), DEA regulations, state-specific laws
References
Academic Year 2026/2027
SECTION 1: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHEDULES AND CLASSIFICATION
Questions 1-50
Question 1
A nurse preparing to administer a Schedule II opioid notices that the medication count in the
controlled substance logbook does not match the actual inventory. What is the most appropriate
immediate action?
,A. Adjust the count to match documentation
B. Administer the medication and report later
C. Immediately report the discrepancy according to facility policy
D. Replace the missing dose from another unit
Answer: C
Rationale: Any discrepancy involving controlled substances must be reported immediately.
Delaying or adjusting records is considered a serious violation and may indicate diversion.
Prompt reporting ensures proper investigation and maintains legal compliance .
Question 2
Which organization is primarily responsible for enforcing federal laws related to controlled
substances, including classification, distribution, and monitoring of medications?
A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
D. World Health Organization (WHO)
Answer: C
Rationale: The DEA enforces federal controlled substance laws, regulates drug schedules, and
ensures proper handling and distribution. The FDA regulates drug approval, but the DEA handles
controlled substance enforcement .
Question 3
A healthcare provider asks about Schedule I controlled substances. Which description accurately
reflects the classification criteria for these substances?
A. High medical use with low abuse risk
B. Accepted medical use with moderate dependency risk
C. No accepted medical use and high abuse potential
D. Low abuse potential and common clinical use
Answer: C
Rationale: Schedule I substances have no accepted medical use and high abuse potential,
making them the most restricted category. They cannot be prescribed and are only used for
research with special DEA registration .
,Question 4
During medication administration, a nurse ensures the correct patient, medication, dose, route,
and time are followed. What is the primary purpose of adhering to these principles?
A. Reduce workload for staff
B. Meet insurance requirements
C. Ensure safe and accurate medication administration
D. Increase medication availability
Answer: C
Rationale: The "Five Rights" are essential to prevent medication errors and protect patient
safety. Adherence to these principles is a fundamental nursing responsibility when administering
any medication, especially controlled substances .
Question 5
Which schedule of controlled substances has the HIGHEST potential for abuse and NO accepted
medical use in the United States?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule I substances have: (1) high potential for abuse, (2) no currently accepted
medical use in treatment in the US, (3) lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
Examples include heroin, LSD, marijuana (federally), and ecstasy .
Question 6
Which of the following medications is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance?
A. Alprazolam (Xanax)
B. Oxycodone (OxyContin)
C. Diazepam (Valium)
D. Tramadol (Ultram)
Answer: B
, Rationale: Oxycodone is Schedule II (high abuse potential, severe psychological/physical
dependence). Alprazolam and diazepam are Schedule IV, and tramadol is Schedule IV federally .
Question 7
A patient is prescribed methylphenidate for ADHD. This medication is classified under which
schedule?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is a Schedule II central nervous system
stimulant due to high abuse potential and dependence liability. No refills are permitted; a new
prescription must be written for each fill .
Question 8
Which schedule includes drugs with moderate to low potential for physical dependence but high
psychological dependence?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: D
Rationale: Schedule IV drugs have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule III and may lead to
limited physical or psychological dependence. Examples include benzodiazepines (alprazolam,
diazepam), zolpidem, and tramadol .
Question 9
Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex) is classified as which schedule?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
Test 2026 | Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationales for Safe Medication
Administration and Legal Compliance
EXAM OVERVIEW
Feature Details
N677 (Advanced Pharmacology / Nurse Practitioner - Controlled
Course
Substances)
Federal and state controlled substance laws, DEA regulations,
Focus Areas
prescribing practices, schedule classifications, patient safety
Question
Multiple choice, select all that apply, case scenarios
Format
Primary
Controlled Substances Act (CSA), DEA regulations, state-specific laws
References
Academic Year 2026/2027
SECTION 1: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHEDULES AND CLASSIFICATION
Questions 1-50
Question 1
A nurse preparing to administer a Schedule II opioid notices that the medication count in the
controlled substance logbook does not match the actual inventory. What is the most appropriate
immediate action?
,A. Adjust the count to match documentation
B. Administer the medication and report later
C. Immediately report the discrepancy according to facility policy
D. Replace the missing dose from another unit
Answer: C
Rationale: Any discrepancy involving controlled substances must be reported immediately.
Delaying or adjusting records is considered a serious violation and may indicate diversion.
Prompt reporting ensures proper investigation and maintains legal compliance .
Question 2
Which organization is primarily responsible for enforcing federal laws related to controlled
substances, including classification, distribution, and monitoring of medications?
A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
D. World Health Organization (WHO)
Answer: C
Rationale: The DEA enforces federal controlled substance laws, regulates drug schedules, and
ensures proper handling and distribution. The FDA regulates drug approval, but the DEA handles
controlled substance enforcement .
Question 3
A healthcare provider asks about Schedule I controlled substances. Which description accurately
reflects the classification criteria for these substances?
A. High medical use with low abuse risk
B. Accepted medical use with moderate dependency risk
C. No accepted medical use and high abuse potential
D. Low abuse potential and common clinical use
Answer: C
Rationale: Schedule I substances have no accepted medical use and high abuse potential,
making them the most restricted category. They cannot be prescribed and are only used for
research with special DEA registration .
,Question 4
During medication administration, a nurse ensures the correct patient, medication, dose, route,
and time are followed. What is the primary purpose of adhering to these principles?
A. Reduce workload for staff
B. Meet insurance requirements
C. Ensure safe and accurate medication administration
D. Increase medication availability
Answer: C
Rationale: The "Five Rights" are essential to prevent medication errors and protect patient
safety. Adherence to these principles is a fundamental nursing responsibility when administering
any medication, especially controlled substances .
Question 5
Which schedule of controlled substances has the HIGHEST potential for abuse and NO accepted
medical use in the United States?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule I substances have: (1) high potential for abuse, (2) no currently accepted
medical use in treatment in the US, (3) lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
Examples include heroin, LSD, marijuana (federally), and ecstasy .
Question 6
Which of the following medications is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance?
A. Alprazolam (Xanax)
B. Oxycodone (OxyContin)
C. Diazepam (Valium)
D. Tramadol (Ultram)
Answer: B
, Rationale: Oxycodone is Schedule II (high abuse potential, severe psychological/physical
dependence). Alprazolam and diazepam are Schedule IV, and tramadol is Schedule IV federally .
Question 7
A patient is prescribed methylphenidate for ADHD. This medication is classified under which
schedule?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is a Schedule II central nervous system
stimulant due to high abuse potential and dependence liability. No refills are permitted; a new
prescription must be written for each fill .
Question 8
Which schedule includes drugs with moderate to low potential for physical dependence but high
psychological dependence?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: D
Rationale: Schedule IV drugs have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule III and may lead to
limited physical or psychological dependence. Examples include benzodiazepines (alprazolam,
diazepam), zolpidem, and tramadol .
Question 9
Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex) is classified as which schedule?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
