Order: cephalexin (Keflex) 0.5 gp.o. qid. Available: cephalexin (Keflex) 250 mg capsules. How many capsules will the nurse administer?
The correct answer and Explanation is :
To determine how many capsules of cephalexin (Keflex) to administer, we first need to convert the ordered dosage into milligrams. The order is for 0.5 grams (gp.o. qid).
- Convert grams to milligrams:
[
0.5 \text{ g} = 0.5 \times 1000 \text{ mg} = 500 \text{ mg}
] - Understanding the frequency:
The order specifies that the medication is to be given “qid,” which stands for “quater in die,” meaning four times a day. - Calculating the total daily dose:
To find the total amount of cephalexin needed in a day, we multiply the dose per administration by the frequency:
[
500 \text{ mg} \times 4 \text{ times/day} = 2000 \text{ mg/day}
] - Available medication:
The available formulation is 250 mg capsules. To determine how many capsules are needed for each dose, we divide the dose per administration by the amount per capsule:
[
\frac{500 \text{ mg}}{250 \text{ mg/capsule}} = 2 \text{ capsules}
]
Thus, for each administration, the nurse will administer 2 capsules of cephalexin.
Explanation
In medication administration, precision in dosage calculations is crucial for patient safety and therapeutic efficacy. In this case, converting grams to milligrams allows healthcare professionals to understand and accurately administer the medication since most drug formulations are expressed in milligrams.
Understanding the prescribed frequency is also vital. “qid” indicates that the medication should be taken four times a day, which informs how the total daily dose is calculated. Knowing the total daily dosage helps ensure that patients receive adequate treatment throughout the day without exceeding the maximum allowable dose.
Additionally, recognizing the available formulation—250 mg capsules—requires a straightforward division to determine how many capsules constitute the prescribed dose. This process emphasizes the importance of meticulous calculations in nursing practice to promote safe and effective medication administration.