What is the main purpose of administering an antidote?

• A. To relieve pain
• B. To counteract a toxic effect
• C. To induce vomiting
• D. To diagnose an illness

Answer: (B)

The primary purpose of administering an antidote is to counteract a toxic effect. Antidotes are substances that can neutralize or mitigate the harmful effects of poisons or toxins. When a person is exposed to a harmful substance, the antidote works by either binding to the toxin, blocking its action, or enhancing its elimination from the body. For example, naloxone is an antidote used for opioid overdoses, as it reverses the effects of opioids, restoring normal respiratory function.

While relieving pain, inducing vomiting, and diagnosing an illness are important aspects of medical treatment, they do not specifically relate to the purpose of an antidote. Pain relief often necessitates analgesics rather than antidotes, inducing vomiting is a separate procedure to expel ingested toxins, and diagnosis involves identifying an illness rather than countering its symptoms. Thus, the use of an antidote is distinctly focused on addressing toxic effects directly.