Final answer:
A physician must verify the patient's identity, informed consent, check for allergies, and assess the risk of drug interactions and substance abuse before prescribing opioids or other powerful pain relief medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a physician is about to write a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance (CII), which are typically potent opioids for pain management, they need to perform a diligent assessment and verification process before prescribing, especially for a patient they have not seen before. First, the physician must ensure that the patient's identity has been verified, and that the patient has provided informed consent for treatment.
The physician should review the patient's medical history to check for known allergies and evaluate the risk of drug interactions and potential for substance abuse. Additionally, it is imperative to confirm whether site marking is applicable if the prescription follows a surgical procedure.
Pulse oximetry and airway management equipment must be checked in case of anesthesia involvement. All this serves to provide safe and appropriate care in accordance with medical regulations and to prevent prescription abuse.