Rhode Island Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence (MPJE) Practice Exam

If a patient has received opioids within the last 30 days, what is true for their prescription status?

1. They can have any number of opioids prescribed

2. They can only receive a temporary supply

3. They are eligible for initial prescriptions

4. They are not considered for initial prescriptions

The correct answer is: They are not considered for initial prescriptions

When a patient has received opioids within the last 30 days, they are considered to have recently utilized these medications, which generally influences prescribing practices due to concerns about potential misuse and addiction. In many jurisdictions, policies are in place that discourage or restrict the initiation of new opioid therapy for patients who have recently been prescribed opioids. This is intended to promote safer prescription practices and ensure that healthcare providers assess the need for opioid therapy thoroughly, considering the patient's recent history. Consequently, when determining the eligibility for initial prescriptions in the context of patients who recently received opioids, the appropriate approach aligns with the understanding that such patients are typically viewed as being at higher risk for opioid-related complications. As a result, prescribers often are cautious and may opt to avoid prescribing new opioids, thus reinforcing the notion that they are not considered for initial prescriptions.