The process by which the body transforms drugs into an inactive form that can be eliminated from the body is called:

Metabolism refers to the biochemical process through which the body transforms drugs into forms that can be easily eliminated. During metabolism, enzymes in the liver and other tissues convert the active drug compounds into inactive metabolites, which can then be excreted through urine or bile. This process plays a crucial role in pharmacology as it determines the duration and intensity of a drug's effect in the body.

Understanding metabolism is essential for healthcare professionals and x-ray machine operators, as it impacts how medications might affect patients undergoing procedures. For instance, if a patient has impaired metabolic function, the clearance of drugs may be slower, potentially increasing the risk of side effects or interactions with other medications during imaging studies.

The other processes listed—excretion, absorption, and distribution—play their own vital roles in the pharmacokinetics of drugs but do not specifically refer to the transformation of active drugs into inactive forms for elimination. Excretion involves the removal of substances from the body, absorption is the process of taking in substances into the bloodstream, and distribution refers to the dispersion of drugs throughout the body's tissues after they have entered the bloodstream.