Respiratory Drugs and Medications Q 16
Raul, a 20-year-old student, used to buy OTC drugs whenever he felt sick. Which of the following statements best describes the danger of self-medication with over-the-counter drugs?
A. Clients are not aware of the action of over-the-counter drugs.
B. Clients are not aware of the side effects of over-the-counter drugs.
C. Clients minimize the effects of over-the-counter drugs because they are available without a prescription.
D. Clients do not realize the effects of over-the-counter drugs.
Correct Answer: C. Clients minimize the effects of over-the-counter drugs because they are available without a prescription.
This choice is correct because it includes the other three risks noted in choices A, B, and D. The body processes every medicine differently. When medicines are used together, the ways they affect the body can change. This is called a drug-drug interaction. It happens whether they are prescription or OTC medicines. It can increase the chance that the client will have side effects from the medicines he or she is taking.
Option A: Duplication is when the client takes 2 medicines that have similar active ingredients. It can give the client more medicine than he or she needs. An example is when the client takes OTC ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) plus a prescription anti-inflammatory medicine. Too much of either an anti-inflammatory or pain reliever can hurt the kidneys or liver.
Option B: Medicines with active ingredients that have opposite effects on the body can interact. This may reduce the effectiveness of 1 or both medicines. For example, OTC decongestants may raise blood pressure. This can work against (cause opposition to) medicines that lower blood pressure.
Option D: Food may change how the body processes some OTC or prescription medicines. This is called a drug-food (or drug-nutrient) interaction. Sometimes what we eat and drink can affect the ingredients in medicine we are taking. This can prevent the medicine from working the way it should.