Final answer:
To calculate the number of teaspoons (tsp) the nurse should administer per dose, we need to convert the available 12.5mg/5ml solution to tsp.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the number of teaspoons (tsp) the nurse should administer per dose, we need to convert the available 12.5mg/5ml solution to tsp. First, let's convert milligrams (mg) to milliliters (ml). Since 1 tsp is approximately equal to 5 ml, we can set up the following ratio:
12.5mg/5ml = Xmg/1 tsp
Cross-multiplying and solving for X, we get:
X = (12.5mg * 1 tsp) / 5ml = 2.5mg/tsp
Therefore, the nurse should administer 2.5mg of the 12.5mg/5ml solution per dose, which is approximately equal to 1 tsp.
The question involves the calculation of the correct dosage of medication, which is a common task for medical professionals to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. In this case, the nurse needs to administer a 25mg dose every 12 hours of a medication that is available in a concentration of 12.5mg/5ml. To calculate the amount of medication in teaspoons, the nurse must use unit conversion.
First, we determine how many milliliters are needed for a 25mg dose. Since 12.5mg is equivalent to 5ml, a 25mg dose would need twice that amount, which is 10ml. Then, we convert milliliters to teaspoons knowing that 1 teaspoon is approximately equivalent to 5ml. Therefore, a 10ml dose would equal about 2 teaspoons (since 10ml divided by 5ml per teaspoon equals 2).
Thus, the nurse should administer 2 teaspoons of the medication per dose to deliver the prescribed 25mg every 12 hours.