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