As a mental health nurse practitioner, it is extremely critical to understand that the pharmacokinetic properties such as the distribution, absorption, metabolism, and excretion processes of any given medication to be prescribed to a patient. More so, these processes identified above are significantly influenced by the route of administration as well as the functionality of the body organs. For instance, understanding the absorption, metabolic and distribution processes of enteral medications will make the prescribing practitioner be well informed that such medication is best absorbed in the stomach and should be best administered orally. Understanding the pharmacological and toxicological consequence or effect of a drug regarding dosage makes a huge difference in the favorability of the patient’s treatment outcome and could be a defining factor between life and death.
Reference:
Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In T. A. Stern, M. Favo, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum. (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics (pp. 1–19). Elsevier.