Identification may include
- absorption (first step)
- when medication is introduced into the body
- rate of absorption influences medication action and may be affected by multiple factors
- distribution (second step)
- medication moves into fluids and tissues
- metabolism (third step)
- breakdown of the medication in the body occurs in order to eliminate the medication
- affected by many factors, including
- excretion (final step)
- urine
- kidney conditions may affect excretion
- feces
- expired air
- factors that affect medication action
- physical factors, such as
- age
- weight
- gender
- disease states
- genetic factors
- psychological factors, such as
- diet
- exercise
- mental state
- history of response to medications
- medication administration factors
- dosage form
- route of administration
- time of administration.
Process/Skill Questions:
- What health factors affect a client’s interactions with medications?
- What factors, such as blood levels, affect medication absorption?
- What factors affect medication distribution?
- What factors affect medication metabolism/biotransformation?
- What factors influence medication excretion?
- How does age affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)?