PRESCRIPTION Meaning and
Definition
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Prescription refers to a written instruction issued by a qualified healthcare professional, typically a licensed doctor or dentist, to a patient, specifying the specific medication, dosage, frequency, and duration that should be followed to treat a diagnosed illness or condition. It serves as a legal authorization for a pharmacist or healthcare provider to dispense the prescribed medicine to the patient.
A prescription is a crucial component of medical care as it ensures appropriate and effective treatment by providing detailed guidance on the use of medications, thereby preventing misuse or potential harm. It encompasses essential information such as the patient's name, the prescribing healthcare professional's details, the date of prescription, and the drug name, strength, quantity, and directions for use.
Furthermore, prescriptions can also include instructions for non-medication treatments, such as physical therapy or medical devices needed for the patient's recovery. It is important to note that certain medications, particularly controlled substances with potential for misuse or addiction, may require additional safeguards and specialized prescription forms.
Overall, prescriptions play a pivotal role in the healthcare system, facilitating the proper and safe administration of medications, ensuring patient safety and adherence to treatment plans, and promoting effective communication between healthcare professionals and pharmacists.
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1. A written formula for the preparation and administration of any remedy. 2. A medicinal preparation compounded according to the directions formulated in a prescription (1). In the classical description of a prescription it is said to consist of four parts: (1) the superscription, consisting of the word recipe, take, or its sign, R; (2) the inscription, or main part of the p., containing the names and amounts of the drugs ordered; (3) the subscription, or directions for mixing the ingredients and designation of the form (pill, powder, solution, etc.) in which the drug is to be made; this usually begins with the word, misce, mix, or its abbreviation M.; ard finally the signature, or directions to the patient regarding the dose and times of taking the remedy; this is preceded by the word signa, designate, or its abbreviation S.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The act of directing by rules; in med., the direction of remedies for a disease, and the method of using them; the thing prescribed; a recipe; custom continued until it has the force of law; a right acquired by immemorial or long use.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PRESCRIPTION *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PRESCRIPTION
Etymology of PRESCRIPTION
The word "prescription" originated from the Latin word "praescriptio", which is derived from the verb "praescribere". "Prae" means "before" and "scribere" translates to "to write". In ancient Rome, a "praescriptio" referred to the written direction on a medical remedy or recipe. Over time, this term evolved in Middle English to "prescripcion", and eventually, in its current form as "prescription" in modern English.
Idioms with the word PRESCRIPTION
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refill a prescription
To "refill a prescription" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of obtaining additional medication from a pharmacy in order to continue a prescribed treatment. It involves going back to the pharmacy and requesting a new supply of medication based on the original prescription. This typically occurs when the initial supply of medication has been depleted or is about to run out.
Similar spelling words for PRESCRIPTION
- procreative,
- procreation,
- prescribed,
- proscribe,
- proserpina,
- procrastinator,
- procrastinate,
- proscription,
- prescript,
- preservative,
- preservation,
- procrastination,
- proserpine,
- prescriptive,
- prescribe,
- preserving,
- preservationist,
- proscribed.
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