Texas Jurisprudence Exam Physician Assistant Practice Exam

Which statement regarding prescribing by a physician assistant is accurate?

1. They may prescribe medications at their discretion

2. They cannot prescribe controlled substances

3. They may prescribe for longer than 120 days

4. They may prescribe controlled substances per delegated authority

The correct answer is: They may prescribe controlled substances per delegated authority

The accurate statement regarding prescribing by a physician assistant is that they may prescribe controlled substances per delegated authority. This reflects the generally accepted legal framework governing physician assistants in many jurisdictions, including Texas. Physician assistants are allowed to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, but this ability is contingent upon having specific authority delegated to them by a supervising physician. This delegation typically includes a scope of practice that aligns with both the physician assistant's training and the supervising physician's specialty. Conversely, while physician assistants have significant prescribing authority, it is not an unrestricted power; they must operate within the parameters set by the supervising physician and relevant state laws. Delegated authority means that the supervising physician has assessed the physician assistant's abilities and has formally authorized them to prescribe specific medications. This ensures that there is a supervisory relationship in place, which is crucial for patient safety and quality of care. Therefore, physician assistants do not have blanket discretion to prescribe; their authority is defined and limited by the delegation received from their supervising physician. The other statements do not accurately represent the scope of practice for physician assistants. They do not have unfettered discretion to prescribe medications; rather, there are specific regulations and protocols they must follow. Additionally, they can indeed prescribe controlled substances, contrary to the