Prescribe

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Prescribe

Prescribe (/prɪˈskraɪb/), from the Latin praescribere meaning "to write before", is a term used in the field of medicine to denote the act of a healthcare professional recommending a specific treatment, therapy, or medication to a patient.

Etymology

The term "prescribe" originates from the Latin word praescribere, which is a combination of prae (before) and scribere (to write). Thus, it literally means "to write before". This refers to the practice of healthcare professionals writing down a course of treatment or medication before it is given to the patient.

Related Terms

  • Prescription: A legal document written by a healthcare professional that instructs a patient on the specific medication or treatment they are to take.
  • Over-the-counter (OTC): Refers to medications that can be purchased without a prescription.
  • Pharmacist: A healthcare professional who is qualified to dispense prescription medications to patients.
  • Therapy: A treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.
  • Medication: A substance used for medical treatment, especially a medicine or drug.

Usage in Medicine

In medicine, to prescribe means to recommend a specific course of treatment or medication to a patient. This is typically done by a healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. The prescription is usually written on a special form and given to the patient, who then takes it to a pharmacy to have it filled.

Prescriptions can include a wide range of treatments, from pharmaceutical drugs to physical therapies. The specific prescription given will depend on the patient's condition, their overall health, and the healthcare professional's judgement.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski