North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

Which instruction is given to take medication "before meals"?

1. Take after meals

2. Take with food

3. Take as directed

4. Take prior to eating

The correct answer is: Take prior to eating

The instruction to take medication "before meals" specifically indicates that the medication should be ingested prior to the consumption of food. This can be essential for certain medications that work better or are absorbed more effectively on an empty stomach, ensuring that food does not interfere with their action. Taking medication "before meals" emphasizes the timing of the dose relative to eating, making it important to adhere to this directive for optimal treatment efficacy. This instruction helps prevent any potential food-drug interactions and can enhance the medication's overall effectiveness. Thus, the instruction to "take prior to eating" clearly communicates the requirement to take the medication in advance of meals, which aligns perfectly with the intended timing.