Discussion: Pharmacokinetics and
Pharmacodynamics
As an advanced practice nurse assisting physicians in the diagnosis and
treatment of disorders, it is important to not only understand the impact of
disorders on the body, but also the impact of drug treatments on the body.
The relationships between drugs and the body can be described by
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug through
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, whereas
pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to the body.
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When selecting drugs and determining dosages for patients, it is essential to
consider individual patient factors that might impact the patient’s
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.
These patient factors include genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, behavior (i.e.,
diet, nutrition, smoking, alcohol, illicit drug abuse), and/or pathophysiological
changes due to disease.
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- Fall '19
- Pharmacology
