Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions · USMLE Step 1

What is the first step in evaluating a suspected adverse drug reaction in a patient?

  1. Immediately discontinue every current medication
  2. Take a detailed drug and timing history
  3. Start empiric high-dose systemic steroids
  4. Ignore it if the reaction seems mild
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Correct answer: Take a detailed drug and timing history

A detailed history including timing of drug initiation relative to symptom onset is critical for attributing causality to an ADR and distinguishing it from other causes.

Difficulty: Medium Question 18 of 19

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