Massachusetts MAP Certification Practice Test

What factors influence drug sensitivity?

1. Age and Gender

2. Food Intolerance

3. Age, Body Weight and Height

4. Genetic Makeup

The correct answer is: Age, Body Weight and Height

The correct choice identifies several key physiological factors that significantly influence drug sensitivity. Age plays a critical role because metabolic activity and organ function can change throughout different stages of life, affecting how drugs are processed in the body. For example, infants and elderly individuals often metabolize drugs differently than healthy adults, leading to variations in drug effects and potential side effects. Body weight is another crucial factor, as it determines the distribution of drugs within the body. Dosing is often based on total body weight or body surface area, and deviations from standard weight can lead to underdosing or overdosing. Height, while less directly impactful, is sometimes used in calculating body surface area, which can influence dosing strategies, particularly in pediatrics and for certain medications. Together, these factors—age, body weight, and height—contribute to the overall pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications, influencing both their effectiveness and the risk of adverse reactions. While genetic makeup also plays a significant role in drug sensitivity—through variations in metabolism enzymes, drug transporters, and receptors—the selected answer emphasized factors that are more universally applicable across populations and can also be easily measured in clinical settings.