Objective: To describe the concepts of both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and how it applies to palliative medicine.
Data sources: Research and review articles and textbooks.
Conclusion: Most patients who have an illness that requires palliation are elderly, have co-morbid conditions, and are on many medications. Both age and disease can alter the way drugs are handled by the body (pharmacokinetics) and how they affect the body (pharmacodynamics).
Implications for nursing practice: The oncology nurse, armed with the correct knowledge about medications, can have an important inmpact on improving the patient's care, safety, and quality of life.