Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What term refers to the undesired effects caused by a drug?

1. Adverse reactions

2. Primary effects

3. Placebo reactions

4. Intended effects

The correct answer is: Adverse reactions

Adverse reactions refer to the undesired effects caused by a drug, which can occur in addition to the therapeutic effects for which the medication was prescribed. These reactions may vary from mild to severe and can include side effects, allergic reactions, or unexpected complications that can impact a patient's health. Understanding adverse reactions is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure patient safety, adjust dosages, or choose alternative therapies if necessary. In contrast, primary effects refer to the intended physiological responses that result from a drug’s administration, focusing on the beneficial outcomes expected from the medication. Placebo reactions are responses that occur due to a patient’s belief in the treatment rather than the treatment itself, and intended effects are the specific outcomes that are the purpose of drug use but do not include any undesired effects. Each of these terms addresses different aspects of drug therapy and highlights the complexity of pharmacological treatments in patient care.