Which of the following must be included on a prescription if it is for a narcotic?

When a prescription is written for a narcotic, it is essential to include the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number of the prescriber. The DEA number is a unique identifier assigned to healthcare providers who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances, including narcotics. This requirement helps ensure that prescriptions for these highly regulated medications can be tracked and monitored to prevent misuse and abuse.

The inclusion of the DEA number is crucial for compliance with federal regulations surrounding the prescribing of controlled substances, ensuring that only authorized practitioners can issue these prescriptions. This helps protect both the patient and the public from potential harm associated with the inappropriate prescription and distribution of narcotics.

Other details, such as prescription expiration dates or the patient's social security number, are either not necessary for every prescription or are not specifically mandated for narcotics. The preferred language of the patient, while potentially relevant in some contexts, does not pertain specifically to the narcotic prescription requirements.