Question

The prescriber directs a client to take 15 oz of the laxative agent GoLYTELY. The cup holds 6 oz. How many cups will the client have to drink?

Short answer

The client needs 2.5 cups.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

The problem asks us to determine how many cups of a specific laxative agent are needed when each cup holds 6 ounces and the total amount required is 15 ounces.

Identify the Quantity per Cup and Total Quantity Needed

We know from the problem that each cup holds 6 ounces, and the client needs to take a total of 15 ounces.

Determine the Number of Cups

To find out how many cups are needed, divide the total amount of the laxative agent by the amount each cup holds. So, calculate: \( \frac{15}{6} \).

Perform the Calculation

Divide 15 by 6, which results in 2.5. This means the client needs 2.5 cups.

Interpret the Result

Since you can't usually have half a cup in practice, this means the client would need to partially fill a third cup to reach the total amount of 15 ounces.

Key concepts

Unit Conversion

Understanding unit conversion is critical in medication dosage calculations. In this example, we know that the laxative GoLYTELY is measured in ounces, and the question involves converting these measurements into the number of cups needed. In the medical field, it is common to have differing units, such as milliliters and liters. However, in this problem, the conversion is simply about how many ounces each cup can hold.
For this problem:

• 1 cup of GoLYTELY = 6 ounces
• Total GoLYTELY required = 15 ounces

To solve problems like these, always ensure that both the total amount needed and the unit of measure for individual servings are compatible. No complicated conversions are necessary in this case, but always verify that your units match to prevent any medication errors.

Mathematical Division

Mathematical division comes into play when you need to determine how many complete servings are necessary. Here, the task is to see how many full cups are needed from a total 15 ounces of GoLYTELY, considering each cup holds 6 ounces. Let's break down:
This requires a basic division problem:

• Divide the total ounces (15) by the ounces per cup (6)

In mathematical terms, this is:\[\frac{15}{6} = 2.5\]The division tells us that 2.5 cups are required. In practical terms, 2 full cups and a half-filled cup is needed to meet the total 15 ounces. Understanding division helps interpret how bulk quantities can be split into usable measurements in a real-world context.

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving in medication dosage is about effectively applying unit conversion and mathematical skills to reach a solution. Let’s consider the steps to solve this problem:
First, identify what is known:

• Total volume needed = 15 ounces
• Volume per cup = 6 ounces

Secondly, apply division to determine how many cups are necessary:

• Perform the calculation: 15 divided by 6 equals 2.5

Finally, interpret the results practically. Since half a cup can't be served regularly, you would use two full cups and fill an additional cup halfway. Real-world problem-solving involves considering practical constraints, especially in healthcare scenarios where precise amounts are critical for patient safety and treatment effectiveness.