Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice
Nurse Prescribers with Davis Edge
6th Edition
Foundational Principles and Legal Framework
1. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: A new graduate nurse practitioner is reviewing
their legal scope of prescribing authority. Which factor is the
primary determinant of prescribing privileges for an advanced
practice registered nurse in the United States?
Options:
A) Federal DEA regulations
B) State Nurse Practice Acts
C) Institutional policies
D) Professional organization guidelines
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: State Nurse Practice Acts are the primary legal
authority defining the scope of prescribing practices for
advanced practice nurses, including requirements for
physician collaboration and prescribing parameters.
, • Incorrect A: While the DEA regulates controlled
substances, it does not establish the fundamental
prescriptive authority granted to APRNs.
• Incorrect C: Institutional policies may impose additional
restrictions but cannot grant authority beyond what state
law permits.
• Incorrect D: Professional guidelines recommend standards
but lack the force of law.
Teaching Point: Prescribing authority originates from state
law, not federal regulation or institutional policy.
2. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: An advanced practice nurse is completing their
first prescription for amoxicillin for a patient with bacterial
sinusitis. Which element is legally required for a valid
prescription?
Options:
A) Patient's insurance information
B) Diagnosis code
C) NP's DEA number
D) Patient's date of birth
Correct Answer: D
Rationales:
• Correct: Patient date of birth is a crucial identifier required
on all prescriptions to ensure the medication is dispensed
to the correct individual.
, • Incorrect A: Insurance information facilitates payment but
is not legally required for prescription validity.
• Incorrect B: Diagnosis codes are used for billing purposes
but are not mandatory elements on the prescription itself.
• Incorrect C: DEA numbers are only required for controlled
substances, not antibiotics like amoxicillin.
Teaching Point: Essential prescription elements include
patient identifiers, drug details, and prescriber
information.
3. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: During a pharmacology seminar, students
discuss the ethical principles underlying rational prescribing.
Which principle is demonstrated when an NP selects a generic
medication over a brand-name drug to reduce out-of-pocket
costs for an uninsured patient?
Options:
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct: Justice refers to fair distribution of healthcare
resources and addressing economic barriers to treatment.
, • Incorrect A: Beneficence would focus more directly on
achieving the best therapeutic outcome rather than cost
considerations.
• Incorrect B: Nonmaleficence emphasizes avoiding harm,
which isn't the primary principle in this cost-conscious
decision.
• Incorrect D: Autonomy respects patient decision-making,
but the scenario describes a prescriber-led selection.
Teaching Point: Justice in prescribing includes considering
medication affordability and access.
4. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: A family nurse practitioner is considering
prescribing a medication for an off-label use. Which factor
provides the strongest evidence to support this prescribing
decision?
Options:
A) Anecdotal success with previous patients
B) Published clinical practice guidelines endorsing this use
C) Pharmaceutical representative recommendation
D) Theoretical pharmacological mechanism
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Clinical practice guidelines based on systematic
review of evidence provide the strongest justification for
off-label prescribing.
Nurse Prescribers with Davis Edge
6th Edition
Foundational Principles and Legal Framework
1. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: A new graduate nurse practitioner is reviewing
their legal scope of prescribing authority. Which factor is the
primary determinant of prescribing privileges for an advanced
practice registered nurse in the United States?
Options:
A) Federal DEA regulations
B) State Nurse Practice Acts
C) Institutional policies
D) Professional organization guidelines
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: State Nurse Practice Acts are the primary legal
authority defining the scope of prescribing practices for
advanced practice nurses, including requirements for
physician collaboration and prescribing parameters.
, • Incorrect A: While the DEA regulates controlled
substances, it does not establish the fundamental
prescriptive authority granted to APRNs.
• Incorrect C: Institutional policies may impose additional
restrictions but cannot grant authority beyond what state
law permits.
• Incorrect D: Professional guidelines recommend standards
but lack the force of law.
Teaching Point: Prescribing authority originates from state
law, not federal regulation or institutional policy.
2. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: An advanced practice nurse is completing their
first prescription for amoxicillin for a patient with bacterial
sinusitis. Which element is legally required for a valid
prescription?
Options:
A) Patient's insurance information
B) Diagnosis code
C) NP's DEA number
D) Patient's date of birth
Correct Answer: D
Rationales:
• Correct: Patient date of birth is a crucial identifier required
on all prescriptions to ensure the medication is dispensed
to the correct individual.
, • Incorrect A: Insurance information facilitates payment but
is not legally required for prescription validity.
• Incorrect B: Diagnosis codes are used for billing purposes
but are not mandatory elements on the prescription itself.
• Incorrect C: DEA numbers are only required for controlled
substances, not antibiotics like amoxicillin.
Teaching Point: Essential prescription elements include
patient identifiers, drug details, and prescriber
information.
3. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: During a pharmacology seminar, students
discuss the ethical principles underlying rational prescribing.
Which principle is demonstrated when an NP selects a generic
medication over a brand-name drug to reduce out-of-pocket
costs for an uninsured patient?
Options:
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct: Justice refers to fair distribution of healthcare
resources and addressing economic barriers to treatment.
, • Incorrect A: Beneficence would focus more directly on
achieving the best therapeutic outcome rather than cost
considerations.
• Incorrect B: Nonmaleficence emphasizes avoiding harm,
which isn't the primary principle in this cost-conscious
decision.
• Incorrect D: Autonomy respects patient decision-making,
but the scenario describes a prescriber-led selection.
Teaching Point: Justice in prescribing includes considering
medication affordability and access.
4. Reference: Ch. 1, The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse as
Prescriber
Question Stem: A family nurse practitioner is considering
prescribing a medication for an off-label use. Which factor
provides the strongest evidence to support this prescribing
decision?
Options:
A) Anecdotal success with previous patients
B) Published clinical practice guidelines endorsing this use
C) Pharmaceutical representative recommendation
D) Theoretical pharmacological mechanism
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: Clinical practice guidelines based on systematic
review of evidence provide the strongest justification for
off-label prescribing.
