A patient weighs 40 kg and is to receive melphalan 8,000 mcg per day. The tablet strength is 2 mg per tablet. How many tablets should be administered?

A patient weighs 40 kg and is to receive melphalan 8,000 mcg per day. The tablet strength is 2 mg per tablet. How many tablets should be administered?

• A. 2 tablets
• B. 3 tablets
• C. 4 tablets
• D. 5 tablets

Answer: (C)

Convert the dose to the same unit as the tablet. 8,000 mcg equals 8 mg. Each tablet is 2 mg, so 8 mg ÷ 2 mg per tablet = 4 tablets. No partial tablet is needed, so administer 4 tablets. The 40 kg weight isn’t used here because the dose is given as a fixed amount, not as mg per kg.

Convert the dose to the same unit as the tablet. 8,000 mcg equals 8 mg. Each tablet is 2 mg, so 8 mg ÷ 2 mg per tablet = 4 tablets. No partial tablet is needed, so administer 4 tablets. The 40 kg weight isn’t used here because the dose is given as a fixed amount, not as mg per kg.