Which term describes a condition that makes the use of a drug inappropriate due to harm?

• A. Indication
• B. Adverse Effect
• C. Depressant
• D. Contraindications

Answer: (D)

Contraindications describe conditions or situations in which giving a drug could cause more harm than good. They flag when a medication should not be used at all (absolute contraindication) or should be used with great caution (relative contraindication) because the risk of harm outweighs the benefit. For example, a drug that lowers blood pressure is clearly avoided in someone who is already severely hypotensive; or a medication to which a patient is known to be allergic should not be given.

Indication, by contrast, is the condition or situation where a drug’s benefits justify its use. An adverse effect is an unwanted harm caused by the drug after administration, not a pre-existing condition that forbids its use. A depressant is a type of drug, not a concept about when a drug should or should not be used.