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 \(0.65 \mathrm{~g}\), and a pharmacist weighs out \(15.6 \mathrm{~g}\) of capsules, how many capsules have been dispensed?

Short answer

The pharmacist has dispensed 24 antibiotic capsules.

Step-by-step solution

Write down the given information

We are given: - Weight of a single capsule = \(0.65 \mathrm{~g}\) - Total weight of capsules dispensed = \(15.6 \mathrm{~g}\)

Determine the number of capsules

To determine the number of capsules, divide the total weight of capsules dispensed by the weight of a single capsule: Number of capsules = \( \frac{Total \thinspace weight \thinspace of \thinspace capsules \thinspace dispensed}{Weight \thinspace of \thinspace a \thinspace single \thinspace capsule} \)

Substitute the values

Now, let's substitute the given values in the formula: Number of capsules = \( \frac{15.6 \mathrm{~g}}{0.65 \mathrm{~g}} \)

Calculate the result

Now, divide the total weight by the weight of a single capsule: Number of capsules = \( \frac{15.6}{0.65} \) = 24

State the answer

The pharmacist has dispensed 24 antibiotic capsules.

Key concepts

Weight Calculation

Weight calculation is a crucial process in pharmaceutical calculations. It involves determining how much a certain quantity of medication weighs, which is often more efficient than counting pills manually. Here, the calculation is simple: divide the total weight of the capsules by the weight of a single capsule to find the number of capsules dispensed.

• Given the weight of a single capsule, you can determine the total number of capsules if you know the overall weight. This is much faster and more accurate, especially when dealing with large numbers of capsules.
• For instance, if one capsule weighs 0.65 grams and the pharmacist has 15.6 grams total, dividing these gives the number of capsules.

The formula to use is: \[\text{Number of capsules} = \frac{\text{Total weight of capsules}}{\text{Weight of a single capsule}}\]Using this formula ensures you make quick and precise dispensing calculations, helping maintain efficiency in a busy pharmacy environment.

Capsule Dispensing

Capsule dispensing is a method used by pharmacists to provide the correct amount of medication to patients. Instead of counting each individual capsule, pharmacists weigh them. This method is quicker, and it reduces the risk of human error in counting, ensuring safe and accurate dispensing.

• By knowing the exact weight of a single capsule, pharmacists can determine how many are in a given total weight using a simple division.
• This process helps in handling bulk prescriptions more efficiently, minimizing patient wait time.

Weighing capsules for dispensing is especially useful when dealing with large quantities, as it provides a faster solution without compromising accuracy.

Antibiotic Dosage

Antibiotic dosage refers to the specific amount of an antibiotic a patient needs to take to effectively treat an infection. This dosage is crucial for achieving the desired therapeutic effect while minimizing side effects and resistance.

• Prescribing the correct number of capsules is part of ensuring an accurate dosage.
• Pharmacists can confidently dispense the correct amount by linking the total weight to the number of capsules required per the physician’s orders.
• Understanding dosage requirements helps pharmacists provide not just the correct quantity but also guidance on the frequency and timing of doses.

Proper antibiotic dosing prevents under-treatment or over-treatment of infections, preserving antibiotic effectiveness and preventing resistance development.