Using conversion factors, solve each of the following clinical problems:b. A patient needs 0.024 g of a sulfa drug. There are 8-mg tablets in stock. How many tablets should be given?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the given information: The patient needs 0.024 g of the sulfa drug, and each tablet contains 8 mg of the drug.
2. Convert the required dose from grams to milligrams. Use the conversion factor: 1 g = 1000 mg.
3. Calculate the total number of milligrams needed by multiplying the required dose in grams by the conversion factor.
4. Determine the number of tablets needed by dividing the total milligrams required by the milligrams per tablet.
5. Ensure the final answer is a whole number, as you cannot give a fraction of a tablet.

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit. In this problem, we need to convert grams to milligrams to match the units of the available tablets. Understanding how to use conversion factors, such as knowing that 1 gram equals 1000 milligrams, is essential for accurate calculations.

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert one set of units to another using conversion factors. It involves multiplying the quantity by a fraction that represents the relationship between the units. This method ensures that units cancel appropriately, leading to the desired unit in the final answer, which is crucial for solving the problem of how many tablets to administer.

Medication Dosage Calculation

Medication dosage calculation involves determining the correct amount of a drug to administer based on the patient's needs and the available medication form. In this scenario, we need to calculate how many 8-mg tablets are required to provide a total of 0.024 g (or 24 mg) of the sulfa drug. Understanding the relationship between the required dosage and the available tablet strength is key to ensuring patient safety and effective treatment.