Rosenthal: Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics
for Advanced Practice Providers, 1st Ed.
Chapter 1: Prescriptive Authority (Questions
with their Correct Answers 2025)
An APRN works in a urology clinic under the supervision of a physician who does not restrict the types of
medications the APRN is allowed to prescribe. State law does not require the APRN to practice under
physician supervision. How would the APRN's prescriptive authority be described?
A. Full authority
B. Independent
C. Without limitation
D. Limited authority - correct answers-ANS: B
The APRN has independent prescriptive authority because the regulating body does not require that the
APRN work under physician supervision. Full prescriptive authority gives the provider the right to
prescribe independently and without limitation. Limited authority places restrictions on the types of
drugs that can be prescribed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 1TOP: Nursing Process: I MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category:
Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
Which factors increase the need for APRNs to have full prescriptive authority?
A. More patients will have access to health care.
B. Enrollment in medical schools is predicted to decrease.
C. Physician's assistants are being utilized less often.
D. APRN education is more complex than education for physicians. - correct answers-ANS: A
Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has increased the number of individuals with health care
coverage, and thus the number who have access to health care services. The increase in the number of
patients creates the need for more providers with prescriptive authority. APRNs can fill this practice gap.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
,Which factors could be attributed to limited prescriptive authority for APRNs? Select all that apply.
A. Inaccessibility of patient care
B. Higher health care costs
C . Higher quality medical treatment
D. Improved collaborative care
E. Enhanced health literacy - correct answers-ANS: A,B
Limiting prescriptive authority for APRNs can create barriers to quality, affordable, and accessible
patient care. It may also lead to poor collaboration among providers and higher health care costs. It
would not directly impact patient's health literacy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
Which aspects support the APRN's provision for full prescriptive authority? Select all that apply.
A. Clinical education includes prescription of medications and disease processes.
B. Federal regulations support the provision of full authority for APRNs.
C. National examinations provide validation of the APRN's ability to provide safe care.
D. Licensure ensures compliance with health care and safety standards.
E. Limiting provision can decrease health care affordability. - correct answers-ANS: A,C,D
APRNs are educated to practice and prescribe independently without supervision. National
examinations validate the ability to provide safe and competent care. Licensure ensures compliance
with standards to promote public health and safety. Limited prescriptive authority creates numerous
barriers to quality, affordable, and accessible patient care.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: pp. 1-2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
A family nurse practitioner practicing in Maine is hired at a practice across state lines in Virginia. Which
aspect of practice may change for the APRN?
A. The APRN will have less prescriptive authority in the new position.
B. The APRN will have more prescriptive authority in the new position.
,C. The APRN will have equal prescriptive authority in the new position.
D. The APRN's authority will depend on federal regulations. - correct answers-ANS: A
Virginia allows limited prescriptive authority, while Maine gives full authority to certified nurse
practitioners. The federal government does not regulate prescriptive authority.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 3TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
How can collaboration with a pharmacist improve positive outcomes for patients? Select all that apply.
A. Pharmacists can suggest foods that will help with the patient's condition.
B. Pharmacists have additional information on drug interactions.
C. The pharmacist can suggest adequate medication dosing.
D. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility formulary.
E. Pharmacy can alter prescriptions when necessary to prevent patient harm. - correct answers-ANS:
B,C,D
Providers should collaborate with pharmacists because they will likely have additional information on
formulary, drug interactions, and suggestions for adequate medication dosing. Dietitians can make food
recommendations to treat the patient's condition. The pharmacist can contact the prescriber about
questionable prescriptions, but cannot alter the prescription without notification of and approval by the
provider.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 9TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX Client Needs
Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient presents with delirium tremens requiring Ativan administration. The provider of care is not the
facility. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A. Obtain a telephone order.
B. Contact the on-call hospitalist.
C. Obtain an order from the charge nurse.
D. Wait for a written Ativan order. - correct answers-ANS: A
In an emergency situation, such as delirium tremens with seizure activity, it is acceptable to provide a
telephone order. Contacting the on-call hospitalist or waiting for a written order would take more time
, than available for a patient with high seizure risk. Writing an order is outside the scope of practice for
the charge nurse.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 7TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient with chronic pain calls the provider's office to request a refill on their oxycontin. Which action
is most appropriate?
A. Fax an order to the pharmacy.
B. Schedule an appointment with the patient.
C. Verify the patient's adherence to drug regimen.
D. Determine the patient's current medication dosage. - correct answers-ANS: B
Schedule II medications are not eligible for refills, and prescriptions must be handwritten. It is important
to verify the patient's adherence to the drug regimen and determine the current dosage of medication;
however, this can be accomplished by scheduling an appointment and evaluating the patient in person.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 8TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient prescribed amoxicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports new onset of a flat, itchy red rash
on the chest and neck. Which action is most important?
A. Provide a different prescription.
B. Discontinue the medication.
C. Prescribe an antihistamine cream.
D. Assess for respiratory compromise. - correct answers-ANS: B
The priority action is to discontinue the medication to prevent worsening of the patient's symptoms. A
different prescription would be provided, topical antihistamine may be administered, and the patient
would be assessed for respiratory involvement, but these actions would not be performed first.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 6TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient taking three medications for hypertension is diagnosed with COPD. Which action should be
taken prior to prescribing medications to treat COPD?
for Advanced Practice Providers, 1st Ed.
Chapter 1: Prescriptive Authority (Questions
with their Correct Answers 2025)
An APRN works in a urology clinic under the supervision of a physician who does not restrict the types of
medications the APRN is allowed to prescribe. State law does not require the APRN to practice under
physician supervision. How would the APRN's prescriptive authority be described?
A. Full authority
B. Independent
C. Without limitation
D. Limited authority - correct answers-ANS: B
The APRN has independent prescriptive authority because the regulating body does not require that the
APRN work under physician supervision. Full prescriptive authority gives the provider the right to
prescribe independently and without limitation. Limited authority places restrictions on the types of
drugs that can be prescribed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 1TOP: Nursing Process: I MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category:
Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
Which factors increase the need for APRNs to have full prescriptive authority?
A. More patients will have access to health care.
B. Enrollment in medical schools is predicted to decrease.
C. Physician's assistants are being utilized less often.
D. APRN education is more complex than education for physicians. - correct answers-ANS: A
Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has increased the number of individuals with health care
coverage, and thus the number who have access to health care services. The increase in the number of
patients creates the need for more providers with prescriptive authority. APRNs can fill this practice gap.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
,Which factors could be attributed to limited prescriptive authority for APRNs? Select all that apply.
A. Inaccessibility of patient care
B. Higher health care costs
C . Higher quality medical treatment
D. Improved collaborative care
E. Enhanced health literacy - correct answers-ANS: A,B
Limiting prescriptive authority for APRNs can create barriers to quality, affordable, and accessible
patient care. It may also lead to poor collaboration among providers and higher health care costs. It
would not directly impact patient's health literacy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
Which aspects support the APRN's provision for full prescriptive authority? Select all that apply.
A. Clinical education includes prescription of medications and disease processes.
B. Federal regulations support the provision of full authority for APRNs.
C. National examinations provide validation of the APRN's ability to provide safe care.
D. Licensure ensures compliance with health care and safety standards.
E. Limiting provision can decrease health care affordability. - correct answers-ANS: A,C,D
APRNs are educated to practice and prescribe independently without supervision. National
examinations validate the ability to provide safe and competent care. Licensure ensures compliance
with standards to promote public health and safety. Limited prescriptive authority creates numerous
barriers to quality, affordable, and accessible patient care.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: pp. 1-2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
A family nurse practitioner practicing in Maine is hired at a practice across state lines in Virginia. Which
aspect of practice may change for the APRN?
A. The APRN will have less prescriptive authority in the new position.
B. The APRN will have more prescriptive authority in the new position.
,C. The APRN will have equal prescriptive authority in the new position.
D. The APRN's authority will depend on federal regulations. - correct answers-ANS: A
Virginia allows limited prescriptive authority, while Maine gives full authority to certified nurse
practitioners. The federal government does not regulate prescriptive authority.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 3TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
How can collaboration with a pharmacist improve positive outcomes for patients? Select all that apply.
A. Pharmacists can suggest foods that will help with the patient's condition.
B. Pharmacists have additional information on drug interactions.
C. The pharmacist can suggest adequate medication dosing.
D. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility formulary.
E. Pharmacy can alter prescriptions when necessary to prevent patient harm. - correct answers-ANS:
B,C,D
Providers should collaborate with pharmacists because they will likely have additional information on
formulary, drug interactions, and suggestions for adequate medication dosing. Dietitians can make food
recommendations to treat the patient's condition. The pharmacist can contact the prescriber about
questionable prescriptions, but cannot alter the prescription without notification of and approval by the
provider.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 9TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX Client Needs
Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient presents with delirium tremens requiring Ativan administration. The provider of care is not the
facility. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A. Obtain a telephone order.
B. Contact the on-call hospitalist.
C. Obtain an order from the charge nurse.
D. Wait for a written Ativan order. - correct answers-ANS: A
In an emergency situation, such as delirium tremens with seizure activity, it is acceptable to provide a
telephone order. Contacting the on-call hospitalist or waiting for a written order would take more time
, than available for a patient with high seizure risk. Writing an order is outside the scope of practice for
the charge nurse.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 7TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient with chronic pain calls the provider's office to request a refill on their oxycontin. Which action
is most appropriate?
A. Fax an order to the pharmacy.
B. Schedule an appointment with the patient.
C. Verify the patient's adherence to drug regimen.
D. Determine the patient's current medication dosage. - correct answers-ANS: B
Schedule II medications are not eligible for refills, and prescriptions must be handwritten. It is important
to verify the patient's adherence to the drug regimen and determine the current dosage of medication;
however, this can be accomplished by scheduling an appointment and evaluating the patient in person.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 8TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient prescribed amoxicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports new onset of a flat, itchy red rash
on the chest and neck. Which action is most important?
A. Provide a different prescription.
B. Discontinue the medication.
C. Prescribe an antihistamine cream.
D. Assess for respiratory compromise. - correct answers-ANS: B
The priority action is to discontinue the medication to prevent worsening of the patient's symptoms. A
different prescription would be provided, topical antihistamine may be administered, and the patient
would be assessed for respiratory involvement, but these actions would not be performed first.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 6TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient taking three medications for hypertension is diagnosed with COPD. Which action should be
taken prior to prescribing medications to treat COPD?
