Worked example

Oral dose — tablets — practice problem 10

The prescriber orders 1.25 mg of furosemide PO. The pharmacy stocks furosemide in 2.5 mg tablets.

Ordered dose1.25 mg
On hand2.5 mg per tablet

How many tablets should the nurse give?

Answer: 0.5 tablets

Step-by-step solution

1. Identify what you have and what you want
Have: 2.5 mg per tablet · Want: 1.25 mg
2. Set up dimensional analysis so mg cancels
1.25 mg × ( 1 tablet ÷ 2.5 mg )
3. Cancel mg and solve
= ( 1.25 × 1 ) ÷ 2.5 tablet
= 0.5 tablets

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