Final answer:
To determine the volume of liquid medication required, a simple proportion can be used. For a patient needing 375 mg of medication with a concentration of 125 mg per 5 ml, the calculation shows 15 ml should be administered.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the volume of liquid medication needed for a given dosage, you can use a simple proportion. The question specifies that a patient requires 375 mg of a liquid medication. We know that the suspension on hand has 125 mg per 5 ml. Set up the proportion as follows:
125 mg / 5 ml = 375 mg / x ml
Cross-multiply to solve for x:
(125 mg) x = (375 mg)(5 ml)
x = (375 mg)(5 ml) / (125 mg)
x = 15 ml
So, the patient should be administered 15 ml of the suspension.