Distinguish misuse from abuse:

• A. Misuse is improper use of medicines; abuse is intentional use for nonmedical purposes.
• B. Misuse means using medicines as prescribed.
• C. Abuse is using medicines for medical purposes only.
• D. There is no difference.

Answer: (A)

The difference between misuse and abuse in medicines centers on intent and how the medicine is used. Misuse means improper use of medicines—doing something with a medicine that isn’t correct or intended, such as taking more than prescribed, taking someone else’s prescription, or using a medicine for an unapproved purpose. Abuse means using medicines for nonmedical purposes, typically to achieve a high or to feel different, rather than to treat a health condition. This is why the correct statement fits: misuse is improper use, while abuse is intentional nonmedical use. The other choices blur or deny the distinction: using medicines as prescribed is proper use, not misuse; abusing for medical purposes contradicts the idea of nonmedical use; and saying there’s no difference ignores a real safety issue.