A physician orders 160 mg of acetaminophen for a child; the bottle label indicates each tablet provides 160 mg. How many tablets should be given?

A physician orders 160 mg of acetaminophen for a child; the bottle label indicates each tablet provides 160 mg. How many tablets should be given?

• A. One tablet
• B. Two tablets
• C. Half a tablet
• D. Three tablets

Answer: (A)

When the dose being ordered matches the amount contained in one unit, you give exactly one unit. Here, each tablet has 160 mg and the order is for 160 mg, so one tablet provides the full dose without splitting or combining tablets. Giving more would exceed the prescribed amount (two tablets would be 320 mg, three would be 480 mg), while giving less would underdose (half a tablet would be 80 mg). Always verify the label strength and the prescribed dose to ensure the correct amount is administered.

When the dose being ordered matches the amount contained in one unit, you give exactly one unit. Here, each tablet has 160 mg and the order is for 160 mg, so one tablet provides the full dose without splitting or combining tablets. Giving more would exceed the prescribed amount (two tablets would be 320 mg, three would be 480 mg), while giving less would underdose (half a tablet would be 80 mg). Always verify the label strength and the prescribed dose to ensure the correct amount is administered.