Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License Practice Test

Which DEA schedule contains substances with the least potential for abuse?

1. Schedule I

2. Schedule IV

3. Schedule II

4. Schedule V

The correct answer is: Schedule V

The correct answer indicates that Schedule V substances have the least potential for abuse among the controlled substance schedules. Schedule V includes medications that generally consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. These substances are often used for medical purposes, such as cough suppressants with small amounts of codeine. The government categorizes substances into schedules based on their potential for abuse, the existence of accepted medical uses, and the level of dependency they may cause. Substances in Schedule V are considered to have a low potential for abuse relative to those in higher schedules, making them subject to less stringent regulatory controls. In contrast, Schedule I substances have a high potential for abuse and are deemed to have no accepted medical use in the United States, while Schedule II substances also have a high potential for abuse but have accepted medical uses. Schedule IV contains substances with a lower potential for abuse than those in Schedule III and II but higher than those in Schedule V. This classification system helps to ensure that medications are used safely and appropriately.