Final answer:
The MAC refers to the level of anesthetic required to prevent response to verbal/tactile stimulation. A higher MAC value is necessary to achieve this. Factors such as age, medical condition, and other medications can affect an individual's response to anesthesia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'MAC' stands for 'Minimum Alveolar Concentration' and is a measure used in anesthesiology to determine the potency of an inhaled anesthetic. In the context of the question, the MAC refers to the level of anesthetic required to prevent response to verbal/tactile stimulation. To achieve this, a higher MAC value is necessary.
For example, if the MAC value for a particular anesthetic is 1.0, it means that 1.0 MAC of the anesthetic is needed to prevent response to verbal/tactile stimulation. If the MAC value is less than 1.0, it indicates a lower potency anesthetic that may not be sufficient to block the response to stimulation. It's important to note that the MAC can vary from person to person, as factors such as age, medical condition, and other medications can affect an individual's response to anesthesia.