Which statement about pre-printed orders is true?

• A. False
• B. Only with medical supervision
• C. True
• D. Not applicable to controlled substances

Answer: (C)

Pre-printed orders are standardized, clinician-approved templates used to manage common conditions quickly and consistently. They help ensure essential elements are included, reduce variability, and speed up decision-making, which can improve patient safety and care delivery. At the same time, they’re not a set-it-and-forget-it tool—the orders are starting points that must be reviewed and tailored by a clinician for each patient, with appropriate supervision and sign-off. They can involve controlled substances when proper safeguards and approvals are in place, so saying they’re not applicable to controlled substances isn’t accurate. In short, pre-printed orders are a real, useful part of clinical practice when used with appropriate oversight.