مريض بألم مزمن في الظهر يأخذ أفيونات منذ شهور، ويقول إن نفس الجرعة صارت أقل فائدة. ماذا يسمى ذلك؟

A client with chronic back pain on opioids for months says the same dose now helps less. What is this called?

1. An overdose
2. Confirmed addiction
3. Tolerance
4. An allergy to the drug

Answer: C) Tolerance. Tolerance is needing a higher dose for the same effect with prolonged use, a pharmacological phenomenon and not necessarily addiction, which is compulsive use despite harm. Pain and the plan are reviewed with the prescriber.