Question

The fact that many elderly people take five or six different medications means that ___________.

1) They have multiple health conditions
2) They have a high tolerance for medications
3) They are more likely to experience side effects
4) They are less likely to need medication

Answer 1

Many elderly people taking multiple medications generally indicates they have multiple health conditions, and this can increase the risk of side effects due to medication interactions and changes in drug metabolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fact that many elderly people take five or six different medications implies that they have multiple health conditions. As people age, they may become more susceptible to various chronic illnesses such as arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, and cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's disease. This increase in health conditions leads to a greater need for medications to manage these issues. However, an increased number of medications can also heighten the risk of experiencing side effects due to the interactions between different prescriptions and the age-related changes in drug metabolism. It is less likely that taking multiple medications would suggest a high tolerance for medications; often, it actually necessitates careful monitoring to avoid adverse effects. Additionally, taking many medications does not indicate a reduced need for medication.