Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Practice Test

What term describes an adverse reaction or complication caused by medical treatment?

1. Iatrogenic

2. Exogenous

3. Idiopathic

4. Endogenous

The correct answer is: Iatrogenic

The term that accurately describes an adverse reaction or complication caused by medical treatment is "iatrogenic." This word comes from the Greek roots "iatros," meaning physician, and "genes," meaning produced by or caused by. In the medical context, an iatrogenic condition refers specifically to a situation where a patient experiences an unwanted effect as a result of medical interventions, such as medications, surgical procedures, or diagnostic tests. Examples of iatrogenic effects include side effects from medications or complications following surgery. The other terms listed do not capture this specific relationship between medical treatment and adverse effects. Exogenous refers to factors or agents originating from outside an organism, which does not inherently imply a connection to medical treatment. Idiopathic describes conditions or diseases with no known cause, which contrasts with the targeted nature of iatrogenic issues tied to specific medical interventions. Endogenous pertains to internal factors or elements arising from within the organism, and similarly to exogenous, it does not specifically denote treatment-related complications. Thus, the correct term for an adverse reaction specifically linked to medical treatment is iatrogenic.