Medication Administration

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how medications enter the body, reach their site of action, are metabolized, and exit the body

Absorption

The process occurring when medication molecules pass into the blood from the site of medication administration

Distribution

The process by which a medication is carried throughout the tissues and organs to its specific site of action after it has entered the bloodstream

Metabolism (Biotransformation)

The process, primarily occurring in the liver, where enzymes detoxify, break down, and remove biologically active chemicals, turning them into less active or inactive forms

Excretion

The process by which medications and their metabolites exit the body through the kidneys, liver, bowel, lungs, and exocrine glands

Therapeutic effect

The expected or predicted physiological response that a medication causes

Adverse effect

Undesired, unintended, and often unpredictable responses to medication that can range from mild to severe

Side effect

A predictable and often unavoidable adverse effect produced at a usual therapeutic dose

Toxic effect

Responses to a medication that develop after prolonged intake or when a medication accumulates in the blood due to impaired metabolism or excretion

Idiosyncratic reaction

An unpredictable effect in which a patient overreacts or underreacts to a medication or has a reaction different from normal

Anaphylactic reaction

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by sudden constriction of bronchiolar muscles, edema of the pharynx and larynx, and severe wheezing

Synergistic effect

An interaction where the combined effect of two medications is greater than the effect of the medications when given separately

Medication tolerance

A reduced responsiveness to a medication that occurs over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect

Biological half-life

The time it takes for the body's excretion processes to lower the serum medication concentration by half

Peak concentration

The highest serum concentration of a medication, typically occurring when the medication reaches its highest effective concentration

Trough concentration

The minimum blood serum concentration of a medication reached just before the next scheduled dose

Polypharmacy

The practice of taking several medications simultaneously (including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products) or using medications that do not match a diagnosis

Medication reconciliation

The process of comparing a patient’s current medication list with new prescriptions to resolve discrepancies at admission, transfer, or discharge

Generic name

The official or nonproprietary name given to a medication by the United States Adopted Names Council; each medication has only one

Trade name

The brand or proprietary name given to a medication by the manufacturer; one medication can have multiple trade names

Z-track method

A technique for intramuscular injections involving pulling the skin during injection to seal the medication in the muscle and minimize irritation

Aspiration

The accidental entry of food, fluid, or medication intended for gastrointestinal administration into the respiratory tract