What is indicated when a client states they need more of their medication for it to be effective?

When a client expresses that they need more of their medication for it to be effective, this indicates the phenomenon of tolerance. Tolerance occurs when the body becomes accustomed to a drug over time, requiring increased doses to achieve the same therapeutic effects that were previously experienced with smaller doses. This adaptation can happen through various physiological mechanisms, including changes in drug metabolism or receptor sensitivity.

Physical dependence refers to a state where the body has adapted to a drug, leading to withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not taken, but it does not specifically relate to the need for higher doses to maintain effectiveness. Psychological dependence involves a perceived need for the drug based on psychological factors, rather than a change in its effectiveness. Overdose refers to taking a greater amount than is medically recommended, which is not a state of requiring more for effectiveness but rather consuming too much, leading to potentially harmful effects.

Consequently, stating that more medication is needed indicates that tolerance has developed.