Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes physical dependence?

1. Reliance on a medication to function normally

2. Always requiring a higher dose of a medication

3. A sudden withdrawal experience

4. An emotional attachment to a medication

The correct answer is: Reliance on a medication to function normally

Physical dependence is characterized by the body's adaptation to a medication, leading to a reliance on that medication for normal functioning. This occurs when the body becomes accustomed to the presence of a drug, resulting in physiological changes. As a consequence, discontinuation or reduction of the medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms, indicating that the body has adapted to its presence. The other choices do not accurately define physical dependence. For example, while developing a tolerance may lead to the need for higher doses, this is not a defining feature of physical dependence itself. A sudden withdrawal experience relates more to the effects of stopping the medication rather than describing the state of dependence. Emotional attachment to a medication pertains more to psychological dependence rather than physical dependence. Thus, the best description of physical dependence is the reliance on a medication to function normally.