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Guideline vs Prescription - What's the difference?

guideline | prescription | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between guideline and prescription

is that guideline is a non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour while prescription is the act of prescribing a rule, law, etc..

As an adjective prescription is

(of a drug, etc.) only available with a physician or nurse practitioner's written prescription.

guideline

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
    • He considered the Ten Commandments more a guideline than a requirement.
  • A plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.
  • A light line, used in lettering, to help align the text.

    • Synonyms

    * (non-specific rule) rule of thumb * (plan or explanation) rule of thumb

    prescription

    English

    (wikipedia prescription)

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (legal) The act of prescribing a rule, law, etc. .
    • "Jurisdiction to prescribe " is a state's authority to make its laws applicable to certain persons or activities. -- Richard G. Alexander, Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996: Congress exceeds its jurisdiction to prescribe law. Washington and Lee Law Review, 1997.
  • (legal) A period of time within which a right must be exercised, unless the right is extinguished.
    • The prescription governing the victim’s right to enter a charge shall be interrupted by virtue of section 95 of the Criminal Code.
  • (medicine) A written order, as by a physician or nurse practitioner, for the administration of a medicine or other intervention. See also scrip.
    • The surgeon wrote a prescription for a pain killer and physical therapy.
  • (medicine) The prescription medicine or intervention so prescribed.
    • The pharmacist gave her a bottle containing her prescription .
  • (ophthalmology) The formal description of the lens geometry needed for spectacles, etc. .
    • The optician followed the optometrist's prescription for her new eyeglasses.
  • A piece of advice.
    • "Early to bed and early to rise" is a prescription for a healthy lifestyle.

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (of a drug, etc. ) only available with a physician or nurse practitioner's written prescription
    • Many powerful pain killers are prescription drugs in the U.S.

    See also

    * proscription ---- ==Jèrriais==

    Noun

    (f)