Texas Jurisprudence Exam Physician Assistant Practice Exam

Which statement is true regarding the physician's supervision of a physician assistant's prescription authority?

1. Supervision must meet reasonable medical judgment standards

2. Supervision has no bearing on the assistant's education level

3. Supervision is the same for all physician assistants

4. Supervision does not need to be assessed

The correct answer is: Supervision must meet reasonable medical judgment standards

The statement regarding the physician's supervision of a physician assistant's prescription authority that is true is that supervision must meet reasonable medical judgment standards. This means that the supervising physician is required to provide oversight that reflects the appropriate medical standards and practices. This supervision is essential to ensure that the physician assistant practices within their scope of training and expertise while also providing safe and effective care to patients. The requirement for reasonable medical judgment ensures that the supervising physician actively engages in a collaborative relationship with the physician assistant, evaluating their ability to prescribe medications appropriately based on the specific needs of patients. This establishes a standard for the quality of care and accountability, which underscores the importance of ongoing supervision in the healthcare setting. Other options reflect misunderstandings about the nature of supervision in this context. For example, supervision does indeed relate to the education level of the physician assistant, as different training and experience levels will necessitate different approaches to supervision. Additionally, supervision is not uniform across all physician assistants; it may vary based on factors such as their training, experience, and specific practice setting. Lastly, supervision does require regular assessment to ensure that the supervisory relationship is both effective and compliant with regulatory standards, emphasizing the need for ongoing evaluation rather than a passive approach.