2 gm of ciprofloxacin is prescribed to a patient in four doses. Calculate a single dose.

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh NO - 2019

Explanation

The total prescribed dose is 2 grams, which must first be converted to milligrams (mg) to match the units in the options.
Based on the metric system, 1 gram (gm) is equal to 1000 milligrams (mg). Therefore, 2 gm is equivalent to 2000 mg.
To determine the amount for a single dose, the total daily dose (2000 mg) must be divided by the specified number of doses (4).
The calculation is: 2000 mg / 4 doses = 500 mg per dose.

Option B: This value is significantly lower than the calculated dose and does not correspond to any logical division of the total amount.
Option C: This would be the correct single dose if the total 2000 mg were to be administered in only two divided doses (2000 mg / 2 = 1000 mg), not four.
Option D: This represents the total daily dose (2 gm = 2000 mg), not the single dose to be given four times. Administering this amount four times would lead to a significant overdose.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Medication Dose Calculation to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Accurate dose calculation is a fundamental nursing skill essential for patient safety and preventing medication errors, which can have serious or fatal consequences.
This task is a core component of the "Five Rights of Medication Administration": ensuring the Right Patient receives the Right Drug at the Right Dose via the Right Route at the Right Time.
Nurses must always double-check calculations, especially for high-risk medications, and be proficient in converting between units of measurement (e.g., grams to milligrams).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information provided: the total amount of the drug (2 gm) and the number of times it should be administered (four doses).
Next, examine the units of the answer options (mg) and compare them to the unit of the prescribed dose (gm). Note the need for a unit conversion.
Perform the unit conversion. Recall or look up the conversion factor: 1 gram = 1000 milligrams. Convert the total dose: 2 gm * 1000 = 2000 mg.
Set up the final calculation to find the single dose: divide the total dose in milligrams by the number of doses.
Calculate the result: 2000 mg / 4 = 500 mg.
Finally, match your calculated answer (500 mg) with the provided options to select the correct one.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QOUvftpgPCjYUi7C78DDf

E6 Pharmacology Nurses Shanbhag 3e p. 51-53

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 141-143

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.