Forensic Toxicology: Pharmacology
Fundamentals – Pharmacokinetics,
Pharmacodynamics & Drug
Absorption Complete Verified
Questions Provided with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Pharmacokinetics (PK)
what the body does to the drug
What are the 4 stages of pharmacokinetics?
1. Absorption
2. Distribution
3. Metabolism
4. Elimination
T/F: The 4 stages of pharmacokinetics occur in a serial/discrete manner.
False, they occur in sync
Pharmacodynamics (PD)
what the drug does to the body (receptor interactions, sites of action)
What are the 6 factors to keep in mind with pharmacokinetics (PK)?
1. routes of administration
2. rates of absorption
3. rates of elimination
4. time to peak conc.
5. relationship btwn dose and blood/tissue conc.
6. rates of metabolism or biotransformation
What is absorption?
foreign substances gaining entry into the bloodstream
What are the 3 methods of absorption?
, 1. passive diffusion
2. facilitated diffusion
3. active transport
Passive diffusion
Molecule moves across a conc. gradient
Facilitated diffusion
Membrane proteins assist mvmt across concentration gradient
Active transport
Carrier proteins or receptors carry substances across a membrane (may become saturated)
What are the 6 common routes of administration for abused drugs?
1. oral (PO)
2. inhalation
3. intravenous (IV)
4. intranasal (IN)
5. intramuscular (IM)
6. dermal
What are other uncommon routes of administration for abused drugs?
rectal, sublingual
What 4 things will route of administration affect?
1. onset
2. duration
3. intensity
4. quality of effects
Which route of administration gives maximum drug delivery and onset of effects?
IV
Why does IV administration provide max delivery/onset?
Bypasses many of the body's natural safeguards
What is a preferred alternative to IV administration and why?
Smoking (SM) bc it is deemed safer and still provides rapid onset and high intensity of effect
Fundamentals – Pharmacokinetics,
Pharmacodynamics & Drug
Absorption Complete Verified
Questions Provided with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Pharmacokinetics (PK)
what the body does to the drug
What are the 4 stages of pharmacokinetics?
1. Absorption
2. Distribution
3. Metabolism
4. Elimination
T/F: The 4 stages of pharmacokinetics occur in a serial/discrete manner.
False, they occur in sync
Pharmacodynamics (PD)
what the drug does to the body (receptor interactions, sites of action)
What are the 6 factors to keep in mind with pharmacokinetics (PK)?
1. routes of administration
2. rates of absorption
3. rates of elimination
4. time to peak conc.
5. relationship btwn dose and blood/tissue conc.
6. rates of metabolism or biotransformation
What is absorption?
foreign substances gaining entry into the bloodstream
What are the 3 methods of absorption?
, 1. passive diffusion
2. facilitated diffusion
3. active transport
Passive diffusion
Molecule moves across a conc. gradient
Facilitated diffusion
Membrane proteins assist mvmt across concentration gradient
Active transport
Carrier proteins or receptors carry substances across a membrane (may become saturated)
What are the 6 common routes of administration for abused drugs?
1. oral (PO)
2. inhalation
3. intravenous (IV)
4. intranasal (IN)
5. intramuscular (IM)
6. dermal
What are other uncommon routes of administration for abused drugs?
rectal, sublingual
What 4 things will route of administration affect?
1. onset
2. duration
3. intensity
4. quality of effects
Which route of administration gives maximum drug delivery and onset of effects?
IV
Why does IV administration provide max delivery/onset?
Bypasses many of the body's natural safeguards
What is a preferred alternative to IV administration and why?
Smoking (SM) bc it is deemed safer and still provides rapid onset and high intensity of effect
