Which term is the study of drugs and their effects on the body?

• A. Pharmacology
• B. Pharmacognosy
• C. Pharmacologists
• D. Infectious Disease Precautions

Answer: (A)

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on living systems. It covers how drugs exert their actions (mechanism of action), their therapeutic uses, and how the body processes them (pharmacokinetics) along with the resulting effects and potential adverse reactions (pharmacodynamics). The other terms refer to related but different ideas: pharmacognosy focuses on medicines from natural sources, pharmacologists are the scientists who study these concepts, and infectious disease precautions relate to safety measures rather than the study of drugs itself. In the prehospital setting, this knowledge helps you anticipate what a drug will do, select appropriate therapies, and monitor for beneficial effects or adverse outcomes.