The sentence has a blank space and four words or group of words given after the sentence. Select the word or group of words you consider the most appropriate for the blank space. It is common for patients to stop _____ medicine as soon as they start feeling better.
taking
The question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: "It is common for patients to stop _____ medicine as soon as they start feeling better." We need to select the verb that is conventionally used when referring to the act of consuming or using medicine as prescribed.
Analyzing the Options for Stopping Medicine
Let's look at each option and consider how it fits in the context of medicine:
- eating: This word is typically used for solid food. While some medicines are chewable, "eating medicine" is not the standard or most general term for consuming medication.
- gulping: This means to swallow a large amount quickly, often noisily. While one might gulp liquid medicine, it implies a specific, hasty manner of consumption, not the general act of taking medicine.
- swallowing: This is used for passing food or liquid from the mouth down the throat. It is appropriate for pills or capsules, but "swallowing medicine" might not cover all forms, like topical creams or inhalers (though the blank likely refers to oral medicine in this context). However, even for oral medicine, "taking" is more commonly used as a general term.
- taking: This is the most common and widely accepted verb used with "medicine" to mean consuming or using it as directed. People talk about "taking a pill," "taking liquid medicine," or "taking their daily dose." It encompasses the act of receiving and consuming the medicine.
Choosing the Most Appropriate Word
Considering the conventional usage in English, the phrase "stop taking medicine" is standard and universally understood when referring to patients discontinuing their prescribed medication. The other options are either too specific ("gulping," "swallowing" for pills) or incorrect ("eating").
Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill the blank is "taking".
The completed sentence is:
It is common for patients to stop taking medicine as soon as they start feeling better.
Revision Table: Understanding Verbs with Medicine
| Verb | Typical Usage | Appropriateness with "Medicine" |
|---|---|---|
| Eat | Solid food consumption | Generally inappropriate, except perhaps for chewable tablets (but "taking" is still better). |
| Gulp | Swallow quickly/noisily | Specific manner, not the general term. |
| Swallow | Pass food/liquid down throat | Appropriate for pills/liquids but less general than "taking". |
| Take | Consume/use as directed | Most common and appropriate general term. |
Additional Information on Medical Compliance
The sentence touches upon the common issue of patients stopping their medication prematurely. This is often referred to as poor medication adherence or non-compliance. Healthcare professionals often emphasize the importance of completing a full course of medication, especially antibiotics, even if symptoms improve, to ensure the infection is fully cleared and to prevent resistance.
Reasons for patients stopping medicine can include:
- Feeling better and thinking the medicine is no longer needed.
- Experiencing side effects.
- Forgetting to take doses.
- Cost of medication.
- Misunderstanding instructions.
Effective communication between patients and healthcare providers is crucial to improve medication adherence and ensure patients understand why they need to continue taking their medicine as prescribed.
Similar Questions
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a) I prefer
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c) than Mediterranean food
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