Question

scenario
suppose mrs. turner’s provider updated her order for 325 mg 2 tabs by mouth q6h prn temp. > 38.05 c to 325 mg 2 tabs by mouth q4h prn temp. > 38.05 c. the mosby’s drug guide reports that acetaminophen has a maximum recommended dosage of 4 g/day.
question
how many doses can mrs. turner take without exceeding the recommended maximum dosage?

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate dose per administration

Each dose is 2 tabs of 325 mg, so total mg per dose: $2\times325 = 650$ mg.

Step2: Convert maximum daily dose to mg

Maximum daily dose is 4 g, and since $1\ g = 1000\ mg$, $4\ g = 4\times1000 = 4000$ mg.

Step3: Calculate number of doses

Divide total daily max mg by mg per dose: $\frac{4000}{650} \approx 6.15$. Since we can't take a fraction of a dose, we take the floor value (we need to not exceed the max), so 6 doses. Wait, wait, let's check again. Wait, 650 mg per dose. 6506 = 3900 mg, which is less than 4000. 6507 = 4550 mg, which is more than 4000. Wait, but wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, 325 mg per tab, 2 tabs: 3252=650 mg per dose. Max daily is 4000 mg. So number of doses $n$ satisfies $650n \leq 4000$. Solving for $n$: $n \leq \frac{4000}{650} \approx 6.15$. So the maximum integer $n$ is 6? Wait, no, wait 6506=3900, 6507=4550. But wait, maybe the question is about the new order (q4h), but the calculation is about the maximum doses without exceeding daily max. Wait, the key is dose per administration (650 mg) and daily max (4000 mg). So 4000 / 650 = 6.15, so we can take 6 doses? Wait, no, wait 6506=3900, which is under 4000. 6507=4550, over. But wait, maybe I miscalculated the dose per administration. Wait, 325 mg per tab, 2 tabs: 3252=650 mg per dose. Correct. Max daily is 4g=4000mg. So 4000/650=6.15, so the number of doses is 6 (since 7 would exceed). Wait, but let's check again. Wait, 6506=3900, which is less than 4000. 6506=3900, 4000-3900=100, so we can't take a 7th dose. So the answer is 6? Wait, no, wait maybe I made a mistake. Wait, 3252=650 mg per dose. 4000 mg max. 4000 divided by 650 is approximately 6.15, so we take the whole number part, which is 6. But wait, let's do the division properly. 6506=3900, 650*7=4550. So yes, 6 doses. Wait, but maybe the question is different? Wait, the order is q4h, but the calculation is about maximum doses regardless of time, just based on mg. So the number of doses is floor(4000/650)=6.

Answer:

6