Which of the following conditions would typically necessitate the dilution of a medication?

The need to dilute a medication is often related to reducing the risk of harmful side effects. When a medication is too concentrated, it can lead to adverse effects, as the body may not be able to process it safely at that potency. By diluting the medication, the concentration is lowered, making it less likely to cause negative reactions. This is especially important in populations that may have heightened sensitivities, such as children or the elderly, or in cases where the medication has known side effects that can be mitigated through dilution.

In this context, making a medication more palatable is usually achieved through other means, such as flavoring, rather than dilution alone. Increasing a medication's concentration would go against the rationale for diluting it, which is intended to reduce harmful effects. Similarly, decreasing its effectiveness contradicts the purpose of dilution, which is to maintain efficacy while ensuring safety.