What constitutes an "overdose"?

An overdose is identified as taking more medication than prescribed or recommended. This means that the individual ingests an amount of medication that exceeds the safe or beneficial dosage as determined by a healthcare provider. An overdose can lead to significant health risks, including serious side effects, complications, and in severe cases, life-threatening conditions. It is crucial for those administering or taking medication to understand the prescribed limits and adhere strictly to them to avoid these risks.

The options that were not chosen do not align with the definition of an overdose. For instance, taking medication at different times refers to the timing of doses rather than the quantity consumed and does not inherently pose an overdose risk. Missing a dose means that the medication was not taken as scheduled, which can be concerning for treatment effectiveness but does not contribute to an overdose. Taking medications with food affects the absorption and effectiveness of the medication but does not relate to the dosage amount, which is the core of identifying an overdose.