Which of these professionals is able to independently prescribe medications without limitations?

Podiatrists are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. In many jurisdictions, including Iowa, podiatrists have the authority to prescribe medications relevant to their specialty independently. This means they can prescribe medications without having to collaborate with or obtain approval from another healthcare provider, which aligns with the regulations governing their practice.

In contrast, while psychologists, midwives, and naturopathic doctors may have certain prescribing rights, these rights are generally more limited and often contingent upon specific conditions or collaborative agreements with other healthcare providers. For example, psychologists typically cannot prescribe medications unless they are specifically granted this authority through additional training and legislation. Midwives may have restrictions based on state laws defining their practice scope. Similarly, the prescribing capabilities of naturopathic doctors can vary significantly between states, with some requiring them to work in conjunction with a physician for certain prescriptions.

Therefore, the ability of podiatrists to prescribe medications independently and without limitations establishes them as the correct answer in this context.