A drug is eliminated by both hepatic metabolism and renal excretion. The total body clearance of this drug is equal to which of the following?

• A Hepatic clearance multiplied by renal clearance
• B Hepatic clearance divided by renal clearance
• C Hepatic clearance plus renal clearance ✓
• D Hepatic clearance minus renal clearance

Explanation

Total body clearance is the sum of all individual clearance pathways. Cl(total) = Cl(hepatic) + Cl(renal) + Cl(other). Clearance values are additive because each organ contributes independently to eliminating drug from plasma. This additive property is fundamental to pharmacokinetics and is used when adjusting doses in organ failure. If one pathway is impaired, total clearance falls by that organ's contribution.

Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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