DEA registration is NOT required for which of the following situations?

In this scenario, the correct response indicates that DEA registration is not required for a nurse working in a physician's office. This is because nurses typically work under the supervision of a licensed physician and do not handle controlled substances independently. Instead, they may administer medications, including controlled substances, based on a physician's orders. Their activities are encompassed within the physician's DEA registration, as the physician is the one authorized to prescribe controlled substances.

In contrast, the other roles mentioned require DEA registration. Pharmacists at community pharmacies must be registered with the DEA to dispense controlled substances, as they are authorized to interpret prescriptions and ensure the lawful dispensing of these medications. A patient picking up a prescription does not need a DEA registration because patients are not authorized to control or dispense controlled substances themselves; they simply receive the medications that have been prescribed to them. Lastly, pharmacy technicians in hospitals generally need to operate under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who holds a DEA registration, as they often assist in handling and preparing controlled substances. Thus, the requirement for DEA registration hinges on the authority to prescribe, dispense, or manage controlled substances rather than merely being part of the healthcare team.