Question

The nurse is preparing to administer 0600 medications to a client. The client is prescribed levothyroxine 125 mcg PO daily for hypothyroidism. The medication package states levothyroxine tablet 0.125 mg. Which action is appropriate?

Administer the medication

Call the pharmacy and ask them to deliver the correct dose

Hold the medication until the healthcare provider arrives

Call the healthcare provider and request that the time of administration be changed

Answer 1

The prescribed dose of levothyroxine for the client (125 mcg) is equivalent to the dosage available on the medication package (0.125 mg). Therefore, the nurse should administer the medication as it matches the prescribed dose.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to whether the nurse should administer a medication based on the dosage information provided. The medication in question is levothyroxine, prescribed for hypothyroidism. The prescription indicates the client should take 125 mcg of levothyroxine daily, while the medication package states each tablet contains 0.125 mg. Since 1 mcg (microgram) is equivalent to 0.001 mg (milligram), 125 mcg is equal to 0.125 mg. Therefore, the medication dosage on the package is the same as the prescribed dose.

The appropriate action is to administer the medication because the dosage of the medication available matches the prescribed dosage. There is no need to call the pharmacy, hold the medication, or change the time of administration as the dosages are equivalent.