What is therapeutic drug monitoring?

Therapeutic drug monitoring is specifically focused on quantifying the levels of particular drugs within a patient's bloodstream to ensure they are within the therapeutic range. This practice is crucial because it helps to optimize drug therapy by adjusting doses based on individual patient needs and responses. It is particularly important for medications that have narrow therapeutic indices, meaning the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. By measuring drug levels, healthcare providers can prevent toxicity and ensure the medication is performing effectively.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the concept of therapeutic drug monitoring. Evaluating overall health without considering medications does not provide the specific insights that monitoring drug levels offers. Similarly, reviewing patient age against medication types focuses on age-related considerations rather than the actual measurement of drug levels. Lastly, assessing diet in relation to medications is important but does not pertain directly to monitoring drug concentrations in the body.