Question

a nurse is providing instruction to a client who has a new prescription for acetaminophen syrup 650 mg po every 6 hr prn fever. the amount available is acetaminophen syrup 160 mg/5 ml. how many tsp should the nurse instruct the client to take per dose? (round the answer to the nearest whole number. use a leading zero if it applies. do not use a trailing zero.)

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the volume in mL

First, find the volume of the syrup in mL needed for a 650 - mg dose. We know that the concentration is 160 mg/5 mL. Let $V$ be the volume in mL. Using the proportion $\frac{160\ mg}{5\ mL}=\frac{650\ mg}{V}$. Cross - multiply to get $160V = 650\times5$. Then $V=\frac{650\times5}{160}=\frac{3250}{160}=20.3125$ mL.

Step2: Convert mL to tsp

Since 1 tsp = 5 mL, let $x$ be the number of teaspoons. Then $x=\frac{V}{5}$. Substitute $V = 20.3125$ mL into the formula, so $x=\frac{20.3125}{5}=4.0625$.

Step3: Round the answer

Round 4.0625 to the nearest whole number. Rounding gives 4.

Answer:

4