Question

The nurse prepares to administer phenobarbital 45 mg po bid, using phenobarbital 15 mg tablets. How many tablets will the nurse administer to deliver one dose? (Record your answer using a whole number)

a) 1 tablet
b) 2 tablets
c) 3 tablets
d) 4 tablets

Answer 1

The nurse will administer 3 tablets to deliver one 45 mg dose To administer a 45 mg dose using 15 mg tablets, the nurse needs to give 3 tablets. In medical dosing, the precision of units is critical to avoid potentially dangerous errors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the calculation of the number of phenobarbital tablets needed per dose when given the dosage and tablet strength. To deliver a single dose of 45 mg of phenobarbital using 15 mg tablets, the calculation would be:

Number of tablets = Desired dose (in mg) / Tablet strength (in mg)

Number of tablets = 45 mg / 15 mg = 3 tablets.

To find the number of tablets needed to deliver one dose of phenobarbital, we need to divide the total dosage by the dosage per tablet. The nurse needs to administer 45 mg of phenobarbital, and each tablet contains 15 mg. Therefore, the nurse will administer 45 mg / 15 mg per tablet = 3 tablets.

Hence, the nurse will administer 3 tablets to deliver one 45 mg dose. It is crucial in medicine to ensure both a number and a unit are included to express a quantity properly so as to prevent dosage errors which can be serious and potentially life-threatening.