A nurse is preparing to administer 50 mg of prednisone PO to a client.
If the available prednisone is 20 mg/tablet, how many tablets should the nurse administer?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the number of prednisone tablets needed to administer 50 mg to a client when each tablet contains 20 mg of prednisone, you can use a simple calculation:
- Determine the Total Dose Required: The prescribed dose is 50 mg.
- Identify the Strength of the Available Medication: Each tablet contains 20 mg of prednisone.
- Calculate the Number of Tablets Needed: To find out how many tablets are required, divide the total dose by the strength of one tablet.Number of Tablets=Total Dose RequiredStrength per Tablet\text{Number of Tablets} = \frac{\text{Total Dose Required}}{\text{Strength per Tablet}}Number of Tablets=Strength per TabletTotal Dose Required Number of Tablets=50 mg20 mg/tablet\text{Number of Tablets} = \frac{50 \text{ mg}}{20 \text{ mg/tablet}}Number of Tablets=20 mg/tablet50 mg Number of Tablets=2.5\text{Number of Tablets} = 2.5Number of Tablets=2.5
Therefore, the nurse should administer 2.5 tablets.
Explanation:
The dosage calculation process involves determining how many tablets are needed to deliver a specific amount of medication. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Dose Calculation: You need to administer 50 mg of prednisone. Each tablet contains 20 mg. To ensure the client receives the exact dose prescribed, you must determine how many 20 mg tablets are necessary to make up 50 mg.
- Division Process: The calculation involves dividing the total required dose (50 mg) by the amount of drug per tablet (20 mg). This gives the number of tablets needed.
- Interpretation: The result is 2.5 tablets. This means you need two full tablets and half of another tablet to administer the correct dosage of 50 mg.
- Practical Considerations: If the medication is typically not available in fractional tablet form, you may need to consult with the prescribing physician or pharmacist for alternatives, such as a different tablet strength or liquid form.
In clinical practice, administering the precise dose is crucial for ensuring therapeutic efficacy and minimizing potential side effects. Proper calculation and verification of the medication dose ensure patient safety and effective treatment.