Final answer:
An adverse response to medication is a harmful side effect that can occur with normal doses, leading to various symptoms including respiratory distress, low blood pressure, and nausea and vomiting. It can result from prescription or over-the-counter medicines, and even illegal drugs, and is a critical consideration in patient care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adverse Response to medication is defined as a side effect that is harmful to the patient and can occur even at normal doses. It is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of negative effects, including but not limited to respiratory distress, plummeting blood pressure, and anaphylactic shock. Such severe side effects can manifest in various forms such as agitation, anxiety, sleep problems, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, muscular problems, and in extreme cases, conditions as serious as hypotension and ischemia due to blood coagulation or adrenal crisis leading to kidney failure. These adverse responses are not limited to prescription medicine but can also be found with over-the-counter medication and the misuse of illegal drugs. Factors like tolerance or specific metabolic conditions such as G6PD deficiency can exacerbate these reactions, making it essential for healthcare professionals to be cautious when prescribing and advising their usage.