Question 14

The prescription notation "ac" means before meals.

The abbreviation "ac" is derived from the Latin phrase "ante cibum," which translates to "before meals." Therefore, when prescribed, it indicates that the medication should be taken prior to eating.

A) before meals

This option is correct because "ac" indeed stands for "before meals," as confirmed by its Latin origin, "ante cibum." This notation is commonly used in medical prescriptions to guide patients on when to take their medications.

B) each ear

This option is incorrect as "each ear" is typically denoted by the abbreviation "au," which stands for "auris utraque" in Latin. Thus, this choice does not align with the meaning of "ac."

C) after meals

This option is incorrect because "after meals" is represented by the Latin term "pc," which stands for "post cibum." Therefore, this choice does not accurately reflect the meaning of "ac."

D) right eye

This option is incorrect as "right eye" is denoted by the abbreviation "od," which stands for "oculus dexter" in Latin. Hence, this does not correspond to the meaning of "ac."

Conclusion

The notion that "ac" means "before meals" is definitively supported by its Latin roots. All other options fail to represent the correct medical terminology, illustrating the importance of understanding prescription abbreviations for proper medication administration.