When determining drug treatment, what principle should a nurse practitioner always adhere to?

The principle of individualizing the drug choice for the specific patient is essential in pharmacotherapeutics. This approach recognizes that each patient is unique, with different health backgrounds, genetic predispositions, lifestyles, and preferences that can influence how they respond to medications. Individualization ensures that treatment is tailored to fit the specific needs of the patient, taking into account factors such as age, comorbidities, drug interactions, allergies, and responses to previous therapies.

When medications are selected based solely on common prescriptions or standardized treatments, there is a risk that the selected therapy may not be effective or may cause adverse reactions in certain individuals. Furthermore, considering only the cost or focusing on the cheapest medications can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, personalizing drug therapy enhances the likelihood of achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes while minimizing potential side effects.