A client is prescribed alprazolam at 0.75 mg PO. If this is available as 0.5 mg scored tablets, how many tablets should the nurse administer?

A client is prescribed alprazolam at 0.75 mg PO. If this is available as 0.5 mg scored tablets, how many tablets should the nurse administer?

• A. 2 tablets
• B. 1 tablet
• C. 1.5 tablets
• D. 0.5 tablets

Answer: (C)

To determine the correct number of tablets to administer, you start by calculating the total dosage needed and how that aligns with the available tablet strength. The prescribed dosage is 0.75 mg of alprazolam, and the available tablets are 0.5 mg each. To find out how many tablets are necessary, divide the total dosage required (0.75 mg) by the strength of one tablet (0.5 mg): 0.75 mg ÷ 0.5 mg/tablet = 1.5 tablets This calculation shows that the dose prescribed requires one and a half tablets. Hence, the correct administration would involve giving 1.5 tablets to meet the exact dosage of alprazolam the client has been prescribed.

To determine the correct number of tablets to administer, you start by calculating the total dosage needed and how that aligns with the available tablet strength.

The prescribed dosage is 0.75 mg of alprazolam, and the available tablets are 0.5 mg each. To find out how many tablets are necessary, divide the total dosage required (0.75 mg) by the strength of one tablet (0.5 mg):

0.75 mg ÷ 0.5 mg/tablet = 1.5 tablets

This calculation shows that the dose prescribed requires one and a half tablets. Hence, the correct administration would involve giving 1.5 tablets to meet the exact dosage of alprazolam the client has been prescribed.