Which of the following is a concern of over-utilization of medication?

The concern regarding the over-utilization of medication primarily relates to the potential for adverse effects. Over-utilization occurs when medications are prescribed or used more than necessary, which can lead to a variety of negative consequences. These may include increased risk of side effects, drug interactions, dependency issues, and can compromise patient safety.

When patients take medications they don’t need or take them inappropriately, they may experience harmful reactions that could lead to serious health complications. In this context, monitoring and assessing medication use is critical for ensuring that patients receive the benefits of pharmacotherapy without experiencing these undesirable outcomes.

In contrast, options related to increased patient compliance, improved health outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs do not align with the adverse impacts typically associated with over-utilization. While compliance and health outcomes are generally positive goals, over-utilization often undermines these objectives by introducing risks rather than enhancing them.