Test Bank for Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for
Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants 3rd
Edition by Resenthal and Burchum
, Chapter 1: Prescriptive Authority
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. An APRN is employed at a urology clinic and works under a physician who imposes no restrictions on
medication prescribing. However, state regulations do not mandate physician oversight. How should the
APRN's prescribing authority be classified?
a. Complete authority
b. Independent
c. Unrestricted
d. Restricted authority
Correct Answer: B
Since the APRN is not legally required to be supervised by a physician, this is considered independent
prescriptive authority. Full authority includes the ability to prescribe freely without oversight. Restricted
authority involves certain limitations on what medications can be prescribed.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 1 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Category:
Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2. What reasons support the need for APRNs to hold full prescriptive authority?
a. Increased patient access to medical services
b. A forecasted drop in medical school admissions
c. Reduced utilization of physician assistants
d. APRN training is more advanced than physician training
Correct Answer: A
The Affordable Care Act has expanded access to health coverage, leading to more patients seeking care.
This increased demand calls for more providers, including APRNs, to have prescribing authority to meet the
gap.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 2 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Category:
Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
3. What outcomes can result from limiting prescriptive authority for APRNs? Select all that apply.
,a. Reduced access to patient care
b. Increased healthcare expenses
c. Enhanced treatment quality
d. Better teamwork among healthcare providers
e. Greater patient health understanding
Correct Answers: A, B
Restricting APRNs’ prescribing rights can hinder affordable and accessible care, contributing to higher
medical costs and care inefficiencies. It doesn’t directly enhance health literacy.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 2 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Category:
Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
4. Which elements justify granting full prescribing rights to APRNs? Select all that apply.
a. APRN training involves both medication use and disease management.
b. Federal laws advocate for unrestricted APRN prescriptive authority.
c. National certification exams confirm APRNs’ competency in safe care delivery.
d. Licensing upholds public safety and healthcare quality standards.
e. Limitations increase affordability of healthcare services.
Correct Answers: A, C, D
APRN programs provide education in pharmacology and diagnosis, national exams verify safety and
competence, and licensure ensures practice within safety guidelines. Limiting prescriptive rights creates
barriers rather than improving affordability.
DIF: Comprehension REF: pp. 1–2 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX
Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
5. Which elements support APRNs having full prescriptive authority? Select all that apply.
a. Clinical training includes medication prescribing and understanding of disease.
b. Federal policies advocate for complete prescriptive rights for APRNs.
c. National exams confirm APRNs can safely provide care.
d. Licensure ensures adherence to safety and healthcare standards.
Correct Answers: A, C, D
, APRNs receive comprehensive education to prescribe without supervision. Their ability is verified through
certification exams, and licensure confirms they meet safety standards.
DIF: Comprehension REF: pp. 1–2 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX
Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
6. A family nurse practitioner in Maine accepts a position in Virginia. What change might occur in their
prescribing practice?
a. They will have reduced prescribing rights in the new job.
b. They will gain expanded prescribing rights.
c. Their prescribing authority will remain unchanged.
d. Their rights will be governed by federal legislation.
Correct Answer: A
Virginia imposes more restrictions than Maine, where full prescriptive authority is granted. Prescriptive
authority is determined by individual state laws, not by federal regulations.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 3 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Category:
Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies