Title: Identify factors that affect medication mechanism of action.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Understanding Basics of Medication Administration and Pharmacology

Identification may include

- absorption (first step)
  - when medication is introduced into the body
  - rate of absorption influences medication action and may be affected by multiple factors
- distribution (second step)
  - medication moves into fluids and tissues
- metabolism (third step)
  - breakdown of the medication in the body occurs in order to eliminate the medication
  - affected by many factors, including
    - age
    - health conditions

- excretion (final step)
  - urine
    - kidney conditions may affect excretion
  - feces
  - expired air

- factors that affect medication action
  - physical factors, such as
    - age
    - weight
    - gender
    - disease states
    - genetic factors
  - psychological factors, such as
    - diet
    - exercise
    - mental state
    - history of response to medications
  - medication administration factors
    - dosage form
    - route of administration
    - time of administration.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What health factors affect a client’s interactions with medications?
- What factors, such as blood levels, affect medication absorption?
- What factors affect medication distribution?
- What factors affect medication metabolism/biotransformation?
- What factors influence medication excretion?
- How does age affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)?