A nurse is preparing to administer lamivudine 150 mg PO twice a day. The medication is available as 100 mg tablets. How many tablets should be administered per dose?

A nurse is preparing to administer lamivudine 150 mg PO twice a day. The medication is available as 100 mg tablets. How many tablets should be administered per dose?

• A. 1 tablet
• B. 1.5 tablets
• C. 2 tablets
• D. 2.5 tablets

Answer: (B)

Dividing the required dose by the strength of one tablet determines how many pills to give per dose. 150 mg per dose ÷ 100 mg per tablet = 1.5 tablets per dose. So you would administer one full tablet plus half a tablet to reach 150 mg. In practice, this split is possible only if the tablet is scored and safe to cut; otherwise a different strength or formulation would be used.

Dividing the required dose by the strength of one tablet determines how many pills to give per dose. 150 mg per dose ÷ 100 mg per tablet = 1.5 tablets per dose. So you would administer one full tablet plus half a tablet to reach 150 mg. In practice, this split is possible only if the tablet is scored and safe to cut; otherwise a different strength or formulation would be used.