A physician prescribes 5 mg of a drug per kg of body weight twice daily for a patient weighing 110 lb. How many 0.5 g tablets of the drug are required for a 10-day duration?

Rationale

20 tablets of the drug are required for a 10-day duration.

To calculate the total number of tablets needed, we first convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms, then determine the total daily dosage, and finally calculate the number of tablets required for the entire duration of treatment.

A (5) YOUR ANSWER

This choice reflects a miscalculation of the total required dosage. If only 5 tablets were prescribed, this would mean an insufficient daily dose for the patient's weight, resulting in inadequate treatment over the 10-day period.

B (10) YOUR ANSWER

Choosing 10 tablets also indicates an underestimation of the drug required for the patient's weight and the prescribed dosage. This amount would not meet the calculated daily requirement based on the patient's kg body weight.

C (20) CORRECT

This is the correct choice. The patient weighs 110 lb, which converts to approximately 50 kg. At 5 mg/kg, the daily dose is 250 mg, and over 10 days, this totals 2500 mg. Since each tablet is 500 mg (0.5 g), 20 tablets are needed for the full treatment duration.

D (40) YOUR ANSWER

Selecting 40 tablets suggests a significant overestimation of the required dosage. This would imply administering double the necessary medication over the treatment period, which could lead to potential overdose and adverse effects.

Conclusion

For a patient weighing 110 lb, the required dosage of 5 mg per kg results in a total of 20 tablets over a 10-day treatment course. The calculations demonstrate that understanding dosage in relation to body weight is crucial for effective patient care, ensuring safety and efficacy in medication administration.

A physician prescribes 5 mg of a drug per kg of body weight twice daily for a patient weighing 110 lb. How many 0.5 g tablets of the drug are required for a 10-day duration?

20 tablets of the drug are required for a 10-day duration.

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