National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

What is the term for the dose that produces 50% of the maximum response in 50% of subjects?

1. Lethal dose

2. Log dose

3. Effective dose

4. Duration

The correct answer is: Effective dose

The term that refers to the dose that produces 50% of the maximum response in 50% of subjects is known as the effective dose. This term is used to quantify the pharmacological effect of a substance, particularly in the context of evaluating its potency and efficacy. The effective dose is critical for understanding how a drug will perform in a population and is often used in clinical settings to help determine appropriate dosing regimens. Understanding this concept is essential, especially in fields such as pharmacology and medicine, where accurate dosing can have significant implications for patient safety and treatment efficacy. Effective dose helps guide healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about drug administration, ensuring that the drug's effects are maximized while minimizing the potential for adverse effects. Other terms, like lethal dose, refer to the amount of a substance that can cause death, which is not the same as measuring effectiveness in achieving a therapeutic response. Log dose typically refers to a mathematical scaling related to dose-response relationships rather than a specific quantifiable dose. Duration pertains to the length of time a drug's effects last in the body, which does not directly relate to the concept of producing a maximum response in subjects. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the significance of the effective dose in clinical practice and research.