What is a characteristic of an overdose?

An overdose can indeed be characterized as potentially accidental. This refers to situations where an individual unintentionally takes a substance in amounts that are harmful or exceed recommended dosages. Accidental overdoses are common in scenarios such as patients misunderstanding prescription instructions or children ingesting medications without adult supervision. Therefore, recognizing that not all overdoses are intentional is essential for EMTs, as it influences assessment, response strategies, and patient care.

The other options suggest limitations on the interpretation of what constitutes an overdose. For instance, implying that an overdose is always intentional overlooks the reality of many cases where individuals do not intend to harm themselves. Additionally, suggesting that overdose only applies to illegal drugs ignores the fact that many legal medications can cause overdose when misused or mismanaged. Lastly, while overdoses can relate to exposure to chemical substances, this definition is too narrow to encompass the full range of overdose scenarios that EMTs may encounter in the field.