What is a Contraindication?
A contraindication is a situation in which the application of a particular drug or treatment is not advisable, because it may increase the risks to the patient. For example, when someone has a penicillin allergy, this is considered a contraindication for the administration of penicillin, because it will trigger an allergic reaction. Contraindications are among a large group of medical facts which are considered when embarking on a treatment plan for a patient. In the instance of a relative contraindication, the administration of a drug or treatment could increase the patient’s risks, but doctors may decide to go ahead and administer the treatment anyway. For example, when a pregnant woman is involved in an accident which may have caused a broken limb, the limb will be x-rayed, although x-rays are generally contraindicated for pregnant women because of the risks of the fetus. In this instance, however, an untreated fracture could result in far more serious immediate medical complication
