Which professional diagnoses disease and prescribes treatment or medication?

• A. Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• B. Pharmacist
• C. Medical Doctor (MD)
• D. Physician Assistant (PA)

Answer: (C)

Diagnosing disease and prescribing treatment requires the authority to evaluate patients, determine a diagnosis, and issue medications. Medical doctors are trained and licensed to do this independently, having completed medical school, residency, and the licensing steps that authorize full clinical practice, including diagnosing conditions and prescribing therapies.

While nurse practitioners and physician assistants can diagnose and treat in many settings, their prescriptive authority and ability to diagnose often depend on state laws and required collaboration or supervision. Pharmacists dispense medications and provide counseling, but they do not routinely diagnose illnesses.

So, the professional who most consistently holds both diagnosis and prescription authority across settings is the Medical Doctor.