Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What does absorption refer to in pharmacology?

1. Medication being stored in the liver

2. Medication moving from the site of administration into the bloodstream

3. Medication being carried to organs via blood

4. Medication exiting the body through urine

The correct answer is: Medication moving from the site of administration into the bloodstream

Absorption in pharmacology specifically refers to the process through which a medication moves from its site of administration into the bloodstream. This is a critical aspect of how medications exert their effects in the body, as only when they are absorbed into the bloodstream can they reach the necessary tissues and organs to produce a therapeutic effect. Understanding absorption is key for medication administration because factors such as the route of administration (oral, intravenous, intramuscular, etc.), the form of the medication (liquid, tablet, etc.), and the individual’s physiological conditions can all influence how effectively a medication is absorbed. For instance, medications administered intravenously usually have a rapid absorption compared to oral medications, which must pass through the digestive system. The other choices represent different pharmacological concepts. The first option pertains to the storage of medication, usually associated with hepatic metabolism. The third option refers to distribution, which is the process by which the medication is transported throughout the body after absorption. The last choice relates to excretion, which is the elimination of medication from the body. Each of these processes plays an important role in pharmacokinetics, but only the second option correctly defines absorption.