Texas Jurisprudence Exam Physician Assistant Practice Exam

What must a supervising physician do to delegate prescription authority to a physician assistant?

1. Attend every consultation with the physician assistant

2. Authorize what medications can be prescribed

3. Remove their own prescribing authority

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Authorize what medications can be prescribed

To delegate prescription authority to a physician assistant, the supervising physician must specifically authorize which medications can be prescribed. This process involves creating a defined framework where the supervising physician outlines the scope of practice, including the types and categories of medications that the physician assistant is permitted to prescribe. This ensures that the physician assistant operates within a safe and appropriate range of practice, while also adhering to the legal and regulatory requirements set forth by the Texas Medical Board. The act of authorizing medications shows due diligence on the part of the supervising physician to maintain oversight and uphold patient safety. It is essential for the supervising physician to provide clear guidance and limitations on prescribing practices to avoid any potential misuse or harmful outcomes in patient care. In comparison, the other choices are not necessary for delegating this authority. For instance, attending every consultation is impractical and does not reflect the nature of the delegatory relationship intended between the physician and the physician assistant. Removing their own prescribing authority is also not a requirement, as the supervising physician retains legal responsibility for the care provided by the physician assistant. Therefore, the correct approach focuses on the explicit authorization of medications, facilitating a cooperative and effective practice environment.