Pharmacology ATI Exam Study Guide/Review

Pharmacology ATI Exam Chapter 1: Pharmacokinetics and Routes of Administration • Absorption – how quickly or how well it is absorbed; DEPENDS ON THE ROUTE o Oral – takes a while, must pass through the GI tract  Food can SLOW this down  pH juices play a role  Liquids vs extended release tablets o Sublingual – quick, under the tongue o Intradermal/topical – slow, gradual o Intravenous (IV) – the FASTEST route; immediate absorption • Distribution – requires binding proteins of medication o Albumin is a common binding protein • Metabolism – medication is inactivated o Occurs primarily in the LIVER o Factors that Influence Metabolism:  Age – dysfunction of liver  Children – metabolism is not mature yet o First-pass effect – medications are inactivated through their first pass of the liver; THEREFORE, you may need a HIGHER DOSE of the medication to reach therapeutic effects • Excretion – primarily done by the KIDNEYS • Therapeutic Index o HIGH TI = wide safety margin, no need for routine monitoring o LOW TI = small safety margin; NEEDS MONITORING; HIGH risk of toxicity Ex: vancomycin; need to draw peak