NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

What is the significance of the information contained within the "black box" on a medication package insert?

1. The drug can cause "special problems".

2. It differentiates a prescribed medication from an OTC medication.

3. It highlights the cost of the medication.

4. It identifies extreme adverse drug reactions.

The correct answer is: The drug can cause "special problems".

The information contained within the "black box" on a medication package insert signifies that the drug can cause "special problems". This warning is typically reserved for drugs that have serious or life-threatening risks associated with their use. It is the strongest warning that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires and serves as a crucial alert to healthcare providers and patients about potential dangers related to the medication. Option B, which suggests that the black box differentiates a prescribed medication from an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, is incorrect as the presence of a black box warning is not related to whether a medication is prescribed or available for purchase over the counter. Option C, stating that the black box highlights the cost of the medication, is also incorrect as the purpose of the black box is to draw attention to severe risks associated with the drug rather than its financial aspects. Option D, which mentions that the black box identifies extreme adverse drug reactions, is partially correct as the black box warning does indicate severe risks associated with the medication, but it is broader than just extreme adverse drug reactions, encompassing a range of serious problems related to the drug's use.