Question

Calculate the dosages to be given. Round answers to the nearest tenth as indicated (express answers in milliliters). Order: Dilantin \(62.5 \mathrm{mg}\) p.o. b.i.d. Available: Dilantin oral suspension labeled \(125 \mathrm{mg}\) per \(5 \mathrm{~mL}\)

Short answer

Administer 2.5 mL of Dilantin oral suspension.

Step-by-step solution

Determine the Conversion Factor

We know that the available Dilantin suspension has a concentration of 125 mg per 5 mL. This means the conversion factor for Dilantin is:\[ \frac{125 \text{ mg}}{5 \text{ mL}} = 25 \text{ mg/mL} \]

Set Up the Equation for the Required Dosage

We need to administer 62.5 mg of Dilantin. To find out how many milliliters correspond to this dosage, we use the conversion factor from Step 1:\[ \text{Volume in mL} = \frac{62.5 \text{ mg}}{25 \text{ mg/mL}} \]

Calculate the Volume in Milliliters

Using the equation from Step 2, calculate:\[ \text{Volume in mL} = \frac{62.5}{25} = 2.5 \text{ mL} \]

Round the Answer to the Nearest Tenth

The calculated volume for the dosage is already at 2.5 mL, which is rounded to the nearest tenth. Therefore, no further rounding is needed.

Key concepts

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the branch of medicine that deals with the study of drugs and how they affect the body. It's a field that plays a crucial role in understanding medication safe use and effectiveness. In pharmacology, drugs like Dilantin, used to manage seizures, are thoroughly studied.
Pharmacologists analyze how medications act on biological systems and how the body reacts to these agents. It's important for medical professionals to understand these interactions to prescribe the correct dosage and manage potential side effects. By gaining insight into pharmacology, healthcare providers can offer better care and create personalized treatment plans.

Medical Dosage

Medical dosage refers to the specific amount of medication prescribed to a patient. Ensuring the correct dosage is crucial for efficacy and safety. The prescribed dosage of Dilantin in the original exercise is 62.5 mg, to be taken orally twice a day (b.i.d.).
Dosages are determined based on factors like age, weight, and the severity of the condition being treated. Healthcare professionals use their knowledge of pharmacology and patient specifics to calculate exact dosages. Correct dose calculation prevents underdosing, which might not treat the condition, or overdosing, which could lead to toxicity.
When calculating dosage, measurements must be accurate. The exercise demonstrates calculating dosage in milliliters, ensuring patients receive the right amount of medication in liquid form.

Oral Suspension

An oral suspension is a liquid form of medication prescribed when the patient has difficulty swallowing pills or when a precise dosage is required. In the context of our problem, Dilantin is available as an oral suspension.
An oral suspension consists of drug particles dispersed in a liquid. It's vital to shake the bottle well before use to evenly distribute the medication, making sure the dose is consistent each time.
Oral suspensions offer the flexibility to adjust doses according to the patient's needs, allowing smaller or incremental dosage adjustments that tablets can't offer. This precision is often necessary in pediatric and geriatric care.

Conversion Factor

A conversion factor is a number used to change one set of units into another, maintaining the same quantity. It's vital in medical dosage calculations, especially when converting between concentrations and volumes.
In the original exercise, the conversion factor is based on the concentration of Dilantin at 125 mg per 5 mL. Knowing this allows us to determine how much liquid corresponds to the needed amount of medication.
To find the correct dosage in milliliters, we used the formula \( \ \text{Volume in mL} = \frac{62.5 \text{ mg}}{25 \text{ mg/mL}} \). Calculating this gives us the precise amount needed to achieve a specific dosage, which is critical for treatment efficacy and safety. Accurately applying conversion factors ensures patients receive the right medication dose.