Which outcome could result from limited prescriptive authority for APRNs?

• A. Inaccessibility of patient care
• B. Improved collaboration among providers
• C. Decreased health care costs
• D. Direct improvement in patient health literacy

Answer: (A)

Limiting prescriptive authority for APRNs directly affects access to care. When APRNs can’t independently prescribe medications, patients may face delays in treatment, must obtain referrals, or need to travel to see a physician who can write prescriptions. In settings with clinician shortages or in rural areas, these barriers translate into real gaps in timely care, making patient access to care less available.

While collaboration among providers can occur in any practice model, prescriptive limits don’t inherently improve teamwork to the extent that access is reduced. Decreasing costs is unlikely because extra referrals and physician visits to obtain prescriptions often raise overall expenses. Health literacy isn’t directly changed by prescribing authority; it’s more about patient education and communication.