Which of the following is a consequence of medication non-adherence?

Medication non-adherence refers to the situation where patients do not take their medications as prescribed, whether by skipping doses, not filling prescriptions, stopping medication prematurely, or taking medications incorrectly. One significant consequence of such non-adherence is increased hospitalizations and complications.

When patients fail to follow their medication regimen, they often experience worsening of their medical conditions, which can lead to complications that require hospitalization. For example, a patient with hypertension who does not take their blood pressure medication is at a higher risk of experiencing severe health issues such as heart attack or stroke, potentially resulting in an emergency room visit or an admission to the hospital. This not only affects the patient's health but also places additional burdens on the healthcare system, increasing overall healthcare costs and resources needed for treatment.

While options relating to improved health outcomes, decreased healthcare costs, and enhanced patient-provider relationships may be associated with medication adherence, these do not occur when adherence is lacking. Thus, the correct identification of increased hospitalizations and complications directly links to the adverse effects of medication non-adherence.