What is one potential risk of overmedication in patient care?

Overmedication in patient care can significantly increase the chance of adverse drug reactions and side effects. When patients are prescribed more medication than necessary, or when multiple medications are prescribed without proper oversight, they may experience harmful interactions between those drugs. These interactions can lead to serious health complications, including but not limited to allergic reactions, organ damage, or worsening of the patient’s original condition.

The risk of overmedication is particularly pronounced in older adults, who may be more sensitive to medications and already be taking multiple prescriptions for various health issues. To mitigate these risks, healthcare providers must carefully evaluate a patient’s medication regimen, ensuring that any prescribed medications are truly necessary and that they provide more benefit than harm. This approach emphasizes the importance of individualized patient care and vigilance in monitoring the effects of medications on patients.