Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

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Prepare for the AEMT Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions including hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

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Which term defines the increase in effect one drug has on another?

Potentiation
Tolerance
Affinity
Activation

The correct answer is: Potentiation

Potentiation refers to the phenomenon where one drug enhances or increases the effect of another drug. This interaction can lead to a greater therapeutic effect or toxicity than what would be expected from the individual drugs alone. For example, if Drug A has a mild effect on blood pressure, and Drug B, when combined with Drug A, significantly boosts this effect, this is an example of potentiation. In contrast, tolerance refers to a situation where a person’s response to a drug decreases after repeated use, necessitating larger doses to achieve the same effect. Affinity signifies how well a drug binds to its receptor, which does not directly relate to the enhancement of effect between two drugs. Activation involves initiating a biological effect, but it doesn't specify the relationship between different drugs in terms of their combined effects.