South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

Who must sign a prescription if it is issued by a nurse practitioner?

1. The supervising physician

2. A licensed pharmacist

3. The patient

4. No one needs to sign

The correct answer is: The supervising physician

In the context of prescriptions issued by nurse practitioners, the requirement for a supervisory physician's signature stems from the legal framework that governs collaborative practice agreements between nurse practitioners and physicians. In South Carolina, nurse practitioners operate under the authority of a supervising physician, which often necessitates that the supervising physician's signature be present for certain prescriptions, especially those classified as controlled substances or other categories that have stricter regulations. This serves as a measure to ensure that the physician is informed and has authorized the medication being prescribed, thus integrating layers of oversight and accountability in patient care. The role of the supervising physician is crucial as it reassures that there is a collaborative relationship in the decision-making process regarding patient treatment plans, thus promoting patient safety and adherence to healthcare regulations. This structure is designed to ensure that nurse practitioners work within their scope of practice while also maintaining a connection to a physician for more complex medical decisions. The other options do not reflect the legal and regulatory framework that governs the prescribing authority of nurse practitioners in this case.