Question

For a pharmacist dispensing pills or capsules, it is often easier to weigh the medication to be dispensed than to count the individual pills. If a single antibiotic capsule weighs 0.65 g, and a pharmacist weighs out 15.6 g of capsules, how many capsules have been dispensed?

Short answer

The pharmacist has dispensed approximately 24 antibiotic capsules.

Step-by-step solution

Determine the variables

We know the weight of a single antibiotic capsule (\(0.65g\)) and the total weight of capsules weighed out by the pharmacist (\(15.6g\)). We need to find the number of capsules dispensed.

Calculate the number of capsules

To find out the number of capsules, we can divide the total weight by the weight of a single capsule: Number of capsules = Total weight / Weight of one capsule

Plug in the values and solve

Now that we have our formula, we can plug in the given values to solve for the number of capsules: Number of capsules = \(\frac{15.6g}{0.65g}\) Number of capsules ≈ \(\frac{15.6}{0.65}\) ≈ 24

Interpret the result

The result suggests that the pharmacist has dispensed approximately 24 antibiotic capsules.

Key concepts

Understanding Weight Measurement in Pharmacy

In the pharmaceutical world, weight measurement is an essential process that ensures accuracy in dispensing medication. Weighing medication instead of counting each pill not only saves time but also reduces human error.
When dealing with capsules, each has a specific weight. In this scenario, each antibiotic capsule weighs 0.65 grams. The pharmacist uses a scale to weigh the capsules, achieving a total weight of 15.6 grams. By knowing the weight of a single capsule, professionals can quickly calculate how many have been measured by simply dividing the total weight by the individual capsule weight.
This method hinges on the precision of the scales used, as even a slight miscalibration can impact the total outcome. Therefore, regularly calibrating pharmacy scales is crucial. Precise weight measurement ensures that patients receive the correct dosage of medication, which is imperative for effective treatment.

The Process of Capsule Dispensing

Capsule dispensing is an integral duty in pharmaceutical practices. Pharmacists often use the method of weighing to streamline the dispensing process. This practice is common because it is faster and requires less manual counting.
Once the weight of each individual capsule is known, the pharmacist places the batch on a scale to determine the total weight. In this exercise, we learned that weighing helps in figuring out the number of individual capsules quickly. Calculating the number of capsules involves dividing the total dispensed weight by the weight of one capsule as seen with the equation:

• Number of capsules = Total weight / Weight of one capsule

After calculating, the pharmacist can then bag or bottle the appropriate number of capsules for patient use. Such accuracy in capsule dispensing ensures patient safety by providing the correct medication dose.

Doing Basic Arithmetic in Pharmaceutical Calculations

Basic arithmetic is a fundamental skill in pharmaceutical calculations, especially when determining the number of items like capsules from a total weight. Here, a simple division is all that's needed. The pharmacist determines the number of capsules by dividing the total weight by the weight of a single capsule:

• For example: Number of capsules = \( \frac{15.6}{0.65} \) = 24.

It is essential to be comfortable with these numerical manipulations as they are part of the daily tasks in pharmacy. Such calculations require attention to detail to avoid errors that could affect patient care.
Additionally, pharmacists utilize this arithmetic skill in other areas such as calculating dosages, compounding medications, and performing inventory checks. Mastery of these concepts ensures pharmacists can confidently and accurately perform their duties.