Question 84

The abbreviation p.c. should be entered as "After meals."

The abbreviation p.c. stands for "post cibum," which is Latin for "after meals." Therefore, it is appropriate to enter this abbreviation as indicating medication to be taken after eating.

A) By mouth

This option is incorrect because "by mouth" is commonly abbreviated as "p.o." The abbreviation p.c. specifically refers to timing related to meals and does not indicate the route of administration.

B) In the evening

This option is incorrect as well. "In the evening" does not correlate with the term p.c., which specifically denotes a timing related to meals, rather than a specific time of day.

C) After meals

This option is correct. The abbreviation p.c. comes from the Latin phrase "post cibum," meaning after meals. It indicates that the medication should be taken following a meal, making this the accurate interpretation of the abbreviation.

D) Before meals

This option is incorrect because "before meals" is typically abbreviated as "a.c." The abbreviation p.c. specifically refers to taking medication after meals, not before.

Conclusion

The correct interpretation of the abbreviation p.c. is "after meals," as it directly translates from its Latin origin. All other options fail to accurately represent the meaning of p.c., which is explicitly tied to meal timing, reinforcing the importance of understanding medical abbreviations in pharmacy practice.