Drug metabolism is often referred to as which of the following?

Drug metabolism is commonly referred to as biotransformation. This process involves the chemical alteration of a drug by the body, typically occurring in the liver. Biotransformation is crucial for converting lipophilic chemical compounds into more water-soluble products that can be easily excreted. This transformation can involve various chemical reactions, including oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, and conjugation.

Understanding biotransformation is important in pharmacology and nursing because it affects drug efficacy, duration of action, and the potential for drug interactions. The rate at which a drug is metabolized can influence its therapeutic levels and the accumulation of toxic metabolites. This knowledge is key for providing safe and effective patient care in ambulatory settings.

The other options, while related to pharmacology, do not accurately describe drug metabolism. Critical concentration refers to the minimum concentration of a drug required to achieve a desired effect. Drug abuse is relevant in discussions of substance misuse but does not pertain specifically to the metabolic processes of drugs. Half-life is a pharmacokinetic term indicating the time it takes for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce by half, which is influenced by metabolism but is not synonymous with the process itself.