AEMCA Practice Exam

What does drug bioavailability refer to?

1. The total amount of drug administered

2. The amount of drug concentration that reaches target organs

3. The speed at which a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream

4. The extent of drug metabolism by the liver

The correct answer is: The amount of drug concentration that reaches target organs

Drug bioavailability refers to the proportion of a drug that enters the systemic circulation when it is introduced into the body and is available for active effect. This concept is crucial when considering how effective a drug can be in achieving its intended therapeutic outcomes. When a drug is administered, not all of it may reach the desired site of action due to various factors, including first-pass metabolism or incomplete absorption. The correct answer highlights that bioavailability specifically measures the amount of drug concentration that reaches target organs, which ultimately determines the drug's efficacy. Understanding bioavailability is essential in pharmacology because it influences dosing regimens and therapeutic effectiveness. In contrast, other options focus on aspects of drug administration and metabolism but do not directly address bioavailability. For example, the total amount of drug administered does not account for how much of that drug is absorbed and made available for action. The speed at which a drug is absorbed is relevant to the pharmacokinetics of the drug but does not define bioavailability itself. Lastly, the extent of drug metabolism by the liver describes how drugs are processed and eliminated from the body, again without directly measuring how much of the drug reaches systemic circulation effectively.