Question

Lomustine is used in the treatment of brain tumors. The recommended dose is 130 milligrams for each square meter of body surface area. This dose is administered once every 6 weeks. Lomustine is available in 10-mg. 40-mg. and 100-mg capsules. Which combination of capsules most closely provides a single dose for a patient with a BSA of 1.85 m²?

Answer 1

The most appropriate combination of lomustine capsules that closely provides the required single dose for a patient with a BSA of 1.85 m² is two 100 mg capsules, one 40 mg capsule, and one 10 mg capsule, totalling 250 mg.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking for the correct combination of lomustine capsules that would provide the correct dosage for a patient with a Body Surface Area (BSA) of 1.85 m². Since the recommended dose is 130 milligrams per square meter, we first calculate the total dose required by multiplying the patient's BSA with the dose per square meter:

130 mg/m² × 1.85 m² = 240.5 mg

To provide a dose that most closely matches this amount using the available capsules (10 mg, 40 mg, and 100 mg), we need to combine them in such a way to get as close as possible to 240.5 mg without going under the required dose:

1. 2 × 100 mg = 200 mg
2. 1 × 40 mg = 40 mg

Adding another 40 mg capsule would exceed the dose:

1. 200 mg + 40 mg = 240 mg
2. 240 mg + 40 mg = 280 mg (over)

To get closer to 240.5 mg without exceeding, we can add one 10 mg capsule:

1. 240 mg + 10 mg = 250 mg

Thus, the combination of two 100 mg capsules, one 40 mg capsule, and one 10 mg capsule provides a total of 250 mg, which is the closest to the required 240.5 mg without going under.