A patient wants to know about the possible interactions of the various drugs that he has been prescribed for an illness. The nurse explains that the drugs interact with each other and produce an effect that is greater than the sum of their separate actions. Which of the following reactions is the nurse informing about?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A synergistic drug reaction occurs when drugs interact with each other and produce a sum greater than the sum of their separate actions. An additive drug reaction occurs when the combined effect of two drugs is equal to the sum of each drug given alone. An antagonistic drug reaction occurs when one drug interferes with the action of another, causing neutralization or a decrease in the effect of one drug. Toxic drug reactions are caused when blood concentration levels exceed the therapeutic levels of a drug.