Which of the following professionals can legally prescribe medications?

The correct choice indicates that nurse practitioners and dentists are professionals who have the legal authority to prescribe medications. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed graduate-level education and obtained certification in their specialty area, allowing them to assess patients, make diagnoses, and initiate treatment plans, including the prescription of medications.

Similarly, dentists, as licensed professionals, are trained to manage oral health and can prescribe medications related to pain management, infection control, and other dental treatments. Both nurse practitioners and dentists operate under specific state regulations that enable them to prescribe, which is essential for providing comprehensive patient care.

In contrast, pharmacists and physical therapists, while highly knowledgeable in their fields, typically do not have the authority to prescribe medications autonomously, although they may have limited prescribing powers in certain situations depending on state laws. Only doctors (physicians) hold full prescribing authority, but the exclusion of nurse practitioners and dentists from this option makes it incomplete. Physician's assistants can prescribe medications; however, stating that only they can do so does not reflect the broader range of professionals authorized to prescribe.