A provider is writing a prescription for nitroglycerin PO. Which of the following dosages is written correctly?
6/10 mg
0.60 mg
0.6 mg
6 mg
The Correct Answer is C
A. 6/10 mg.: Writing 6/10 mg is not an accepted or safe dosage notation because it increases the risk of misinterpretation and medication error. Dosages should always be written using decimals rather than fractions to ensure clarity and accuracy in administration.
B. 0.60 mg.: Although this value is numerically equivalent to 0.6 mg, it is unsafe to include a trailing zero after the decimal point. The extra zero could be misread as 60 mg, leading to a dangerous overdose. Standard medication safety guidelines prohibit the use of trailing zeros.
C. 0.6 mg.: This is the correctly written dosage because it uses a leading zero before the decimal point and omits any trailing zeros. This format minimizes the risk of dosage errors and aligns with safe medication administration practices endorsed by The Joint Commission.
D. 6 mg.: This dose would be excessively high for nitroglycerin, as therapeutic oral doses typically range between 0.3 to 0.6 mg. Administering 6 mg could cause severe hypotension, dizziness, or syncope due to excessive vasodilation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. STAT order.: A STAT order indicates that a medication should be administered immediately, often in urgent or emergency situations. Since ampicillin is prescribed at regular intervals every 6 hours, this order does not fit the criteria for a STAT medication.
B. Routine order.: A routine order is a standing prescription given at specific, regular times until it is discontinued or changed by the provider. The instruction to give ampicillin 500 mg orally every 6 hours represents a scheduled, ongoing medication regimen, making it a routine order.
C. One time order.: A one-time order refers to a single administration of a medication for a specific purpose, such as a preoperative antibiotic dose. The repeated schedule in this case indicates continued dosing rather than a one-time administration.
D. PRN order.: A PRN (as needed) order is administered only when specific symptoms occur, such as pain or nausea. Since this order specifies fixed timing rather than symptom-based dosing, it is not classified as PRN.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Capsule.: Most capsules should not be crushed because they are designed to release the drug in a specific way, such as extended or delayed release. Crushing or opening them can alter absorption, reduce effectiveness, or increase the risk of side effects.
B. Enteric-coated tablet.: Enteric-coated tablets must not be crushed as their coating protects the drug from stomach acid and prevents gastric irritation. Crushing removes this protective layer, causing premature drug release in the stomach and potential mucosal damage.
C. Buccal tablet.: Buccal tablets are formulated to dissolve slowly in the mouth for direct absorption through the oral mucosa. Crushing them would destroy their delivery mechanism and render them ineffective.
D. Scored tablet.: Scored tablets are specifically designed to be safely split or crushed when necessary. The score mark indicates that the medication can be divided without affecting its stability or pharmacologic properties.
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