Controlled Substance Schedules

As a result of the enactment of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which of the following federal

agencies is responsible for controlling the prescribing and distribution of controlled substances?

• CMS

• DEA

• FDA

• OSHA

Which of the following controlled substance schedules describes a medication that has a high

potential for physical or psychological dependence, but also has an acceptable medical use?

• Schedule I

• Schedule II

• Schedule III

• Schedule IV

A pharmacy technician is presented a prescription for 40 tablets of lorazepam (Ativan) 0.5 mg

with zero refills. The patient requests the pharmacy to fill only 25 tablets. Which of the following

statements should the technician make to the patient about picking up the balance?

• “You must pick it up within 1 year from the date the prescription was written.”

• “You must pick it up within 6 months from the date the prescription was written.”

• “You must pick it up within 30 days from the date the prescription was written.”

• “You must pick it up within 72 hours from the date the prescription was written.”

A medication that can lead to a limited physical or psychological dependence belongs in which of

the following controlled substance schedules?

• Schedule II

• Schedule III

• Schedule IV

• Schedule V

A pharmacy is presented with a prescription for 40 tablets of a Schedule II medication but has only

20 tablets in stock. Within which of the following time periods must the pharmacy dispense the

remainder of the prescription?

• 24 hr

• 48 hr

• 72 hr

• 96 hr

When picking up a prescription for zolpidem (Ambien), a patient asks a pharmacy technician why the

prescription has only 5 refills when all of her other prescriptions have refills for 1 year. Which of the

following statements should the technician make?

• “Due to its potential for abuse, the dispensing pharmacist can exercise professional judgment

  and limit the number of refills.”

• “Due to federal law, only a maximum of five refills are allowed because zolpidem is a Schedule IV

  controlled substance.”

• “Due to the potential for diversion, individual pharmacy policy can limit the number of allowable refills.”

• “Due to state board of pharmacy regulations, zolpidem has a maximum of five refills.”

A patient presents a pharmacy technician with a prescription for diazepam (Valium). Under which of

the following schedules is this medication classified?

• Schedule II

• Schedule III

• Schedule IV

• Schedule V

A patient asks a pharmacy technician about the maximum number of refills permitted by federal law

for a Schedule III medication. Which of the following responses should the technician make?

• A patient asks a pharmacy technician about the maximum number of refills permitted by federal law

  for a Schedule III medication. Which of the following responses should the technician make?

• “Federal law permits two refills for a Schedule III medication.”

• “Federal law permits four refills for a Schedule III medication.”

• “Federal law permits five refills for a Schedule III medication.”

A patient asks a pharmacy technician why guaifenesin-codeine (Robitussin AC) is classified as a

Schedule V medication. Which of the following statements should the technician make?

• “Schedule V medications contain limited quantities of a controlled substance.”

• “There is a limited number of side effects associated with Schedule V medications.”

• “Schedule V medications have no potential for abuse.”

• “Schedule V medications have no psychological dependence.”

A patient asks a pharmacy technician why acetaminophen-codeine (Tylenol with codeine) is not

available over-the-counter (OTC). Which of the following statements should the technician make?

• “This medication contains codeine, so it has a high potential for abuse and physical or

  psychological dependence.”

• “This medication contains codeine, so it has a low potential for abuse and may lead to limited

  physical or psychological dependence.”

• “This medication contains codeine, so it can lead to a limited physical or psychological dependence.”

• “This medication contains codeine, so it can lead to moderate or low physical dependence or

  high psychological dependence.”