Question

as a nurse, you check the record of medications administered to patients. the table shows a list of medications and the dose that is administered every 8 hours. the total dosage is the amount given in 24 hours. one medication has an error in the record. which one?

medication	dose	total dosage
clindamycin	450 mg	1,350 mg
diphenhydramine hydrochloride	$12\frac{1}{2}$ mg	$37\frac{1}{2}$ mg
ibuprofen	$1\frac{1}{4}$ ml	$3\frac{1}{4}$ ml
vancomycin	850 mg	2,550 mg

a. acetaminophen
b. clindamycin
c. diphenhydramine hydrochloride
d. ibuprofen
e. vancomycin

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate expected total dosage for Acetaminophen

Since the dose is $7\frac{1}{2}$ mL every 8 hours and there are $\frac{24}{8}=3$ intervals in 24 hours, the expected total dosage is $7\frac{1}{2}\times3=\frac{15}{2}\times3=\frac{45}{2} = 22\frac{1}{2}$ mL. The record is correct.

Step2: Calculate expected total dosage for Clindamycin

The dose is 450 mg every 8 hours. In 24 hours ($\frac{24}{8} = 3$ intervals), the expected total dosage is $450\times3=1350$ mg. The record is correct.

Step3: Calculate expected total dosage for Diphenhydramine hydrochloride

The dose is $12\frac{1}{2}$ mg every 8 hours. In 24 hours ($\frac{24}{8}=3$ intervals), the expected total dosage is $12\frac{1}{2}\times3=\frac{25}{2}\times3=\frac{75}{2}=37\frac{1}{2}$ mg. The record is correct.

Step4: Calculate expected total dosage for Ibuprofen

The dose is $1\frac{1}{4}$ mL every 8 hours. In 24 hours ($\frac{24}{8} = 3$ intervals), the expected total dosage is $1\frac{1}{4}\times3=\frac{5}{4}\times3=\frac{15}{4}=3\frac{3}{4}$ mL, but the record shows $3\frac{1}{4}$ mL. This is incorrect.

Step5: Calculate expected total dosage for Vancomycin

The dose is 850 mg every 8 hours. In 24 hours ($\frac{24}{8}=3$ intervals), the expected total dosage is $850\times3 = 2550$ mg. The record is correct.

Answer:

D. Ibuprofen