Physician odered dose: Amoxicillin 0.8 g every 6 hours
dose available: amoxicillin 400 mg /tablet
How many tablets should be given for five days?
The correct answer and explanation is :
Calculation of Amoxicillin Dosage
- Prescribed dose: 0.8 g every 6 hours
- Available dose: 400 mg per tablet
Step 1: Convert grams to milligrams
Since 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg):
0.8 g = 800 mg
Step 2: Determine tablets per dose
Each tablet contains 400 mg, so:
[
\frac{800 \text{ mg}}{400 \text{ mg/tablet}} = 2 \text{ tablets per dose}
]
Step 3: Determine total tablets per day
The patient takes 2 tablets every 6 hours, meaning 4 doses per day:
[
4 \times 2 = 8 \text{ tablets per day}
]
Step 4: Determine total tablets for 5 days
[
8 \times 5 = 40 \text{ tablets}
]
Final Answer: 40 tablets
Explanation
Amoxicillin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. The physician has prescribed 0.8 g (800 mg) every 6 hours, meaning the patient needs four doses per day. Since each tablet contains 400 mg, the patient requires 2 tablets per dose.
By multiplying the number of doses per day (4) by the number of tablets per dose (2), we find the patient takes 8 tablets daily. Over a 5-day period, the total number of tablets required is 40 tablets.
It is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage to ensure the effectiveness of the antibiotic treatment and prevent antibiotic resistance. Patients should complete the full course, even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication.
