Which term refers to instructions on a prescription explaining how to take a specific medicine?

Which term refers to instructions on a prescription explaining how to take a specific medicine?

• A. Signature
• B. Subscription
• C. Superscription
• D. Diagnosis

Answer: (A)

In prescriptions, the part that tells the patient how to take the medicine is called the signature. It provides the actual directions for use—how much to take, how often, the route of administration, and any special instructions (for example, “take with food” or “avoid with dairy”). This is the portion meant for patient action, so it clearly communicates exactly how the medication should be used. Other terms describe different parts of the prescription but not the usage directions: the superscription is the heading with the patient’s name and date, the inscription lists the drug’s name and strength, the subscription gives the pharmacist instructions or quantities to dispense, and diagnosis is the medical condition being treated.

In prescriptions, the part that tells the patient how to take the medicine is called the signature. It provides the actual directions for use—how much to take, how often, the route of administration, and any special instructions (for example, “take with food” or “avoid with dairy”). This is the portion meant for patient action, so it clearly communicates exactly how the medication should be used.

Other terms describe different parts of the prescription but not the usage directions: the superscription is the heading with the patient’s name and date, the inscription lists the drug’s name and strength, the subscription gives the pharmacist instructions or quantities to dispense, and diagnosis is the medical condition being treated.