Question

The doctor changes the above order to a tapering dose. She now wants 15mg BID for 2 weeks then 15 mg SID x 2 weeks, then 15mg EOD for 2 weeks. Again, you have 5mg tablets available. How many will you send home?

Option 1: 60 tablets
Option 2: 75 tablets
Option 3: 90 tablets
Option 4: 105 tablets

Answer 1

The number of tablets to send home is 168, which is equivalent to 840mg of the drug.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the number of tablets to send home, we need to calculate the total number of tablets needed for each dosing schedule.

For the first 2 weeks, the patient needs 15mg BID (twice a day). So, for each day, 30mg (15mg x 2) is needed. Over 2 weeks, that is 30mg x 14 days = 420mg.

Next, for the next 2 weeks, the patient needs 15mg SID (once a day). So, for each day, 15mg is needed. Over 2 weeks, that is 15mg x 14 days = 210mg.

Finally, for the last 2 weeks, the patient needs 15mg EOD (every other day). So, for every 2 days, 30mg (15mg x 2) is needed. Over 2 weeks, that is 30mg x 7 days = 210mg.

Adding up the total number of tablets needed: 420mg + 210mg + 210mg = 840mg.

Since each tablet contains 5mg of the drug, the number of tablets needed is 840mg / 5mg = 168 tablets.

Option 3: 90 tablets