Which part of a prescription indicates the patient's instructions on how to take the medication?

The segment of a prescription that conveys the patient’s instructions on how to take the medication is known as the "Sig." This term is derived from the Latin word "signa," which translates to "to sign" or "to write." In pharmacy practice, the Sig section provides specific information on dosage, frequency, route of administration, and any other pertinent details that the patient needs to follow for the safe and effective use of the medication.

For instance, it may include instructions such as "take one tablet by mouth twice daily" or "apply to affected area every six hours." This ensures that the patient understands exactly how to use the prescribed medication.

The other parts of a prescription have different purposes. The "Rx" is the symbol that denotes the prescription itself but does not provide dosing information. The "Dispense" refers to the quantity of medication that the pharmacy should provide to the patient, and "Initials" usually represent the pharmacist's authorization or verification of the prescription, not patient usage instructions.