Using conversion factors, solve each of the following clinical problems:a. The physician has ordered 1.0 g of tetracycline to be given every six hours to a patient. If your stock on hand is 500-mg tablets, how many will you need for one day's treatment?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the total amount of tetracycline needed for one day. Since the physician ordered 1.0 g every six hours, calculate how many doses are needed in 24 hours.
2. Convert the total daily dose from grams to milligrams. Remember that 1 g = 1000 mg.
3. Determine how many 500-mg tablets are needed to meet the total daily dose in milligrams.
4. Divide the total daily dose in milligrams by the amount of tetracycline in each tablet (500 mg) to find the number of tablets needed.
5. Ensure that the number of tablets calculated matches the number of doses required in a day.

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit. In this context, it involves converting grams to milligrams to determine how many tablets are needed. Understanding how to use conversion factors, such as knowing that 1 gram equals 1000 milligrams, is essential for accurate calculations in clinical settings.

Dosage Calculation

Dosage calculation is critical in healthcare to ensure patients receive the correct amount of medication. This involves determining the total daily dosage based on the prescribed frequency and amount. In this case, calculating the total amount of tetracycline required over 24 hours helps in determining how many tablets are necessary for treatment.

Pharmaceutical Formulations

Pharmaceutical formulations refer to the specific forms in which medications are available, such as tablets, capsules, or liquids. Understanding the concentration of the medication, such as the 500-mg tablets in this scenario, is vital for calculating the correct number of doses needed. This knowledge ensures that healthcare providers can administer the right amount of medication safely and effectively.