CVS Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

What information must be present on a script for a controlled medication?

1. Patient's name only

2. Doctor's NPI number only

3. Medication name and directions only

4. Patient's name, address, medication name, directions, doctor's DEA

The correct answer is: Patient's name, address, medication name, directions, doctor's DEA

The correct answer requires that a prescription for a controlled medication contains essential information to ensure safe and legal dispensing. For legal and safety purposes, the prescription must include the patient's name and address to identify the individual receiving the medication, they must include the medication name to specify what is being prescribed, clear directions for use to guide proper administration, and the doctor’s DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number. The inclusion of the DEA number is especially important, as it identifies the prescriber as authorized to prescribe controlled substances, thereby helping to prevent misuse and abuse of these medications. The other options lack crucial components required for a legal prescription of controlled medications. Simply noting the patient's name or the doctor's NPI (National Provider Identifier) number alone does not provide enough context or information to safely dispense a controlled substance. Similarly, just having the medication name and directions disregards the necessary identification of both the patient and the prescribing doctor, which are vital in ensuring the correct medication is provided to the right individual while adhering to regulations surrounding controlled substances.