A resident has a runny nose and rash from medication. What type of reaction is this?

The presence of a runny nose and a rash in response to medication indicates an allergic reaction. This type of reaction occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance, such as a medication, as a threat and responds accordingly. This can lead to various symptoms, including rashes, nasal congestion, and other allergic symptoms.

Allergic reactions are characterized by specific immunologic responses, often involving histamine release, which can manifest in ways such as redness, swelling, and itching. The occurrence of both a runny nose and a rash aligns with common symptoms seen in allergic responses, reinforcing that this situation exemplifies an allergic reaction specifically related to the administered medication.

Other types of reactions, such as adverse reactions, side effects, and toxic reactions, can involve different mechanisms or broader symptoms that are not solely immune responses. Adverse reactions may include more severe or unexpected outcomes that can occur with medication use but would not necessarily be limited to allergy-related symptoms. Side effects are often predictable and generally include mild symptoms that are not directly related to an allergic response. Toxic reactions involve harm due to an overdose or toxicity level of a substance but do not specifically relate to immune reactions.

Thus, the symptoms presented—in this case a runny nose and rash—support