Humanities › Languages English for Medicine - A Prescription Share Flipboard Email Print Close up of doctor with bottle writing prescription. Getty Images / Hero Images Languages English as a Second Language Reading Comprehension Basics Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers Spanish French German Italian Japanese Mandarin English Grammar by Kenneth Beare Updated April 03, 2017 Students and teachers can use the following short description of prescriptions in order to expand and check common English usage of terms relating to medical prescriptions, as well as treatments. A prescription is written by a doctor to give patients medicine needed to alleviate symptoms, or stabilize a medical condition that might be chronic in nature. The prescription is written by a physician in order to tell the pharmacist which medication in required. These often include a number of prescription abbreviations.Prescriptions vs. RecommendationsPrescriptions are used for medications that a doctor feels is necessary for treatment. These are legal documents that are required in order to receive medicine which is prepared by the pharmacist in a pharmacy. Recommendations, on the other hand, are courses of action that a doctor fells will be helpful for the patient. These could include simple daily tasks such as taking a walk, or eating more fruits and vegetables. Dialogue: Giving A PrescriptionPatient: … what about the problems I've been having sleeping?Doctor: I'm going to give you a prescription for some medicine to help you get a better night's sleep.Patient: Thank you doctor.Doctor: Here, you can get this prescription at any pharmacy.Patient: How often should I take the medicine?Doctor: Just take one pill about 30 minutes before you go to bed. Patient: How long should I take them?Doctor: The prescription is for thirty days. If you're not sleeping well after thirty days, I'd like you to come back in.Patient: Is there anything else I can do to help me sleep at night?Doctor: Don't worry so much about things at work. I know, I know... easier said than done. Patient: Should I stay home from work?Doctor: No, I don't think that's necessary. Just remember to stay calm.Understanding PrescriptionsPrescriptions Include:Patient identifier: first and last name of the patient, as well as the date of birth (DOB)Medication (also named "drug"): The medicine that is prescribed Strength: The strong of the medication prescribed (50 mg, 100 mg, etc.)Amount: How often the patient should take the medicineHow much: Number of pills, tablets, etc. provided Frequency: How often the patient should take the medicine Route: How the patient should take the medicine (by mouth, topical, sublingual, etc.). Refills: How often the prescription should be renewed Signature: Signature of the physician writing the prescriptionDate: The day on which the prescription was writtenKey Vocabularyamount = how muchchronic = recurring, happening again and againdrug = idiomatic term used to refer to medicineeasier said than done = not easy to dofrequency = how often something is done medical condition = illness, sickness, diseasemedication = medicinepatient identifier = information that identifies a patientpharmacist = person who has a license to prepare medications for patientspharmacy = licensed store which sells medicine that requires a prescription physician = doctorprescription = order from a doctor for medicineto refill = to provide medicine again based on a prescription route = how medicine should be takenstrength = how strong the medicine issublingual = under the tongueto alleviate = to make easier, to relieveto get a good night's sleep = to sleep enough to feel restedtopical = placed on the skinto stabilize = to make regular to stay calm = to be relaxed to take a pill = to take medicine by mouthMore Medical VocabularyMaking a Doctor's AppointmentPain that Comes and GoesA Physical ExaminationHelping a Patient Continue Reading