Question

The nurse plans to administer labetalol hydrochloride 0.3 grams PO in 200 mg scored tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?

a) 1.5
b) 2
c) 2.5
d) 3

Answer 1

To convert 0.3 grams to milligrams, multiply by 1000 to get 300 mg. Then divide by the amount per tablet, 200 mg, to find that the nurse should administer 1.5 tablets of labetalol hydrochloride.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves calculating the correct dosage of medication to administer based on the dosage strength of the tablets available. To determine how many tablets the nurse should administer when the prescription is for labetalol hydrochloride 0.3 grams and the tablets are scored in 200 mg increments, conversion from grams to milligrams is necessary.

First, convert 0.3 grams to milligrams:

0.3 grams = 0.3 × 1000 = 300 mg.

Next, divide the total milligrams needed by the milligrams per tablet:

300 mg ÷ 200 mg/tablet = 1.5 tablets.

Therefore, the nurse should administer 1.5 tablets to provide the correct dose of 0.3 grams of labetalol hydrochloride.