A doctor orders 0.1 mg of Synthroid (levothyroxine), and 50 mcg tablets are available.
How many tablets per dose should the nurse administer to this patient?
A.
1 tablet
B.
3 tablets
C.
4 tablets
D.
2 tablets
Answer and Explanation
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
To determine how many tablets of Synthroid (levothyroxine) the nurse should administer to the patient, follow these steps:
- Convert the Dose to the Same Units: The order is for 0.1 mg of Synthroid, but the tablets are available in micrograms (mcg). To compare the units, convert milligrams to micrograms. Since 1 mg equals 1000 mcg:0.1 mg=0.1×1000 mcg=100 mcg0.1 \text{ mg} = 0.1 \times 1000 \text{ mcg} = 100 \text{ mcg}0.1 mg=0.1×1000 mcg=100 mcg
- Determine the Number of Tablets Required: The tablets available are 50 mcg each. To find out how many tablets are needed to provide the 100 mcg dose, divide the total required dose by the dose per tablet:Number of tablets=Total dose requiredDose per tablet=100 mcg50 mcg per tablet=2 tablets\text{Number of tablets} = \frac{\text{Total dose required}}{\text{Dose per tablet}} = \frac{100 \text{ mcg}}{50 \text{ mcg per tablet}} = 2 \text{ tablets}Number of tablets=Dose per tabletTotal dose required=50 mcg per tablet100 mcg=2 tablets
Thus, the correct answer is D. 2 tablets.
Explanation:
Synthroid (levothyroxine) is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism. It is crucial to administer the precise dosage as prescribed because even slight deviations can impact thyroid function and overall health. In this scenario, the doctor has ordered 0.1 mg of Synthroid. Since tablets are available in 50 mcg, converting the dose to match the tablet strength is necessary for accurate administration.
The conversion process is essential for medication administration, especially when dealing with different units of measurement. By converting 0.1 mg to 100 mcg, it becomes straightforward to match the dose with the available tablet strength. Once we have the required dose in the same units as the tablet strength, calculating the number of tablets involves a simple division. This ensures that the patient receives the correct dose.
Administering the correct number of tablets helps in maintaining the therapeutic effectiveness of the medication and minimizes the risk of potential side effects or therapeutic failure. Inaccurate dosing can lead to either under-treatment or over-treatment, which might adversely affect the patient’s condition.
In summary, for an order of 0.1 mg (or 100 mcg) of Synthroid with 50 mcg tablets available, administering 2 tablets achieves the prescribed dose, ensuring effective and safe treatment.