Question

The number of capsules a client received each day has decreased from 3 capsules each day to 2 capsules per day. What is the percent of decrease?

Short answer

The percent decrease in capsules is approximately 33.33%.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Original and New Values

The client originally received 3 capsules each day. After the reduction, they now receive 2 capsules each day.

Calculate the Decrease in Capsules

Subtract the new number of capsules from the original number: \[3 - 2 = 1\] So the decrease in capsules is 1 capsule.

Find the Percent Decrease

To find the percent decrease, divide the decrease by the original number of capsules and multiply by 100: \[\frac{1}{3} \times 100 = 33.33\]% So, the percent decrease is approximately 33.33%.

Key concepts

capsule dosage

Capsule dosage is crucial in maintaining the effectiveness and safety of medications. A capsule's dosage refers to the amount of active ingredient contained in each capsule and how often these should be taken. Understanding capsule dosage is essential:

• To avoid underdosing: Taking less than the prescribed amount can lead to ineffective treatment.
• To avoid overdosing: Consuming more can cause adverse effects or toxicity.
• To optimize therapeutic effects: Proper dosage ensures the medication works as intended.

In our example, the client's dosage has been adjusted from 3 capsules to 2 capsules daily. This kind of dosage adjustment is often done by healthcare providers to tailor treatments to patients' needs or reactions.

medication adjustment

Adjusting medication can involve changes in either the type, quantity, or strength of a medication, and is based on individual patient needs. A decrease in capsule numbers as seen in the exercise is a type of medication adjustment. Some primary reasons for medication adjustments include:

• Improved patient condition: If the condition of the patient is improving, the doctor might reduce the dosage.
• Side effects management: To mitigate side effects, the dosage might be altered.
• Changed patient requirements: As a person ages or due to changes in body chemistry, the medication needs might change.

Properly managing medication adjustments ensures that patients receive the maximum benefit from their treatments while minimizing potential risks.

mathematical operations

Mathematical operations play a vital role in health calculations, such as determining dosage changes, calculating medication costs, or understanding medical data. In this exercise, calculating the percent decrease is a key operation.

• Identify original and new values: Start with knowing the original dosage and the new adjusted dosage.
• Calculate the decrease: Subtract the new value from the original value to find the decrease.
• Compute the percent decrease: Divide the decrease by the original number and multiply by 100 to convert it into a percentage.

In mathematical terms, the decrease is calculated as:\(3 - 2 = 1\). To find the percent decrease, use: \(\frac{1}{3} \times 100 = 33.33\%\). This reveals the dosage was decreased by approximately 33.33%, illustrating how powerful mathematics can be in real-world scenarios, including healthcare.