In prescription abbreviations, the symbol ā means:

In prescription abbreviations, the symbol ā means:

• A. Before
• B. After
• C. During
• D. At bedtime

Answer: (A)

In prescription shorthand, timing cues come from Latin. The symbol ā (a with a macron) stands for ante, meaning before. It tells you to administer the medication before a referenced event, rather than after, during, or at another specific time. That’s why the correct interpretation is “Before.” Other timing instructions use different abbreviations, such as post cibum for after meals or hora somni for at bedtime, so ā is reserved for indicating before rather than those other options.

In prescription shorthand, timing cues come from Latin. The symbol ā (a with a macron) stands for ante, meaning before. It tells you to administer the medication before a referenced event, rather than after, during, or at another specific time. That’s why the correct interpretation is “Before.” Other timing instructions use different abbreviations, such as post cibum for after meals or hora somni for at bedtime, so ā is reserved for indicating before rather than those other options.