South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

Which controlled substances can Nurse Practitioners (NPs) prescribe?

1. C3-C5

2. C2 narcotics limited to 5 days

3. C2 non narcotics limited to a 30-day supply

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) have the authority to prescribe controlled substances within certain limitations set by state and federal regulations. In South Carolina, NPs are permitted to prescribe controlled substances in schedules C3 through C5 without any specific restrictions on quantity or duration, as long as they adhere to the standards of care and have established a valid patient-NP relationship. Furthermore, NPs in South Carolina can prescribe C2 narcotics but only for a limited duration of up to 5 days. This provision ensures that the use of potent narcotics is monitored and regulated, preventing potential misuse while still allowing NPs to provide necessary pain management. For C2 non-narcotics, NPs can extend prescriptions to a maximum of a 30-day supply. This allows NPs to offer effective treatment options for patients requiring stronger medications while maintaining a level of oversight to mitigate risks associated with higher-potency medications. Given these points, stating that NPs can prescribe C3-C5, C2 narcotics limited to 5 days, and C2 non-narcotics limited to a 30-day supply accurately reflects their prescribing authority. Therefore, the option indicating that NPs can prescribe all of these substances is correct, as it encompasses the full scope