What term describes the process of moving a drug from the bloodstream to its site of action?

The process that describes moving a drug from the bloodstream to its site of action is known as distribution. After a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, distribution refers to how the drug circulates throughout the body and is delivered to various tissues and organs where it can exert its therapeutic effects.

During distribution, factors such as blood flow to the tissues, the drug's binding to plasma proteins, and the permeability of cell membranes play significant roles. The efficiency of this process determines how quickly and effectively a medication will act in the body.

In contrast, absorption is the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream, metabolism refers to the biochemical modification of the drug within the body, and excretion is the removal of the drug from the body. Understanding the distinction between these processes is crucial for evaluating how drugs function in the body and ensuring their effective utilization in patient care.