Which finding might indicate that a prescription has been altered or forged?

A prescription written in red ink could be a potential indicator that it has been altered or forged because red ink is not typically used in standard medical practice for writing prescriptions. Most prescriptions are written in black or blue ink to maintain consistency and prevent confusion. The use of red ink may raise suspicion since it's not conventional and could signal an attempt to differentiate the prescription from legitimate ones, possibly suggesting that it has been modified.

In contrast, prescriptions written in blue or black ink are standard practices, as both colors are commonly used by healthcare professionals. Additionally, prescriptions written on an official prescription pad are generally considered legitimate, as they include security features and the healthcare provider's information, making it harder to alter. While capital letters might be an unusual way to write a prescription, it does not serve as a reliable indicator of alteration or forgery on its own. Therefore, blue ink is acceptable, as is capital lettering, but red ink deviates from common practices, signaling potential issues with authenticity.