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Multiple Choice
In the context of metabolism, what does it mean when you develop a tolerance for a medication?
A
You develop an allergic reaction to the medication after repeated use.
B
Your body metabolizes the medication more slowly, increasing its effectiveness.
C
The medication is completely eliminated from your body without any effect.
D
Your body becomes less responsive to the medication, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of metabolism in the context of medication. Metabolism refers to the chemical processes in the body that break down substances, including medications, to make them easier to eliminate or to activate their therapeutic effects.
Step 2: Recognize the concept of tolerance. Tolerance occurs when the body becomes less responsive to a medication over time, often due to repeated exposure. This can happen because the body adapts by increasing the efficiency of metabolizing the drug or by altering receptor sensitivity.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options. For example, developing an allergic reaction is not related to tolerance but rather to the immune system's response. Similarly, slower metabolism increasing effectiveness or complete elimination without effect does not align with the definition of tolerance.
Step 4: Focus on the correct explanation. Tolerance means that the medication's effectiveness decreases over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect. This is often due to changes in enzyme activity or receptor desensitization.
Step 5: Apply this understanding to real-world scenarios. For example, tolerance is commonly observed with medications like painkillers or sedatives, where patients may need higher doses after prolonged use to achieve the desired effect.