You have on hand 5 -mg strength tablets. The doctor has ordered \( 2 \frac{1}{2} \mathrm{mg} \mathrm{q} .4 \mathrm{~h} \). (every 4 hours). How many tablets should the patient receive per day? (A) 2 tablets

To determine the daily dosage, we first need to convert \( 2 \frac{1}{2} \) mg into a decimal, which is 2.5 mg. The order is for the patient to take this dose every 4 hours, meaning they will take the medication 6 times a day (24 hours ÷ 4 hours). Thus, the total daily dosage is \( 2.5 \, \text{mg} \times 6 = 15 \, \text{mg} \). Given that each tablet is 5 mg, the patient will need \( 15 \, \text{mg} \div 5 \, \text{mg/tablet} = 3 \) tablets per day. The daily total comes to 3 tablets! Remember to keep track of timings, and ensure that the dosing is spread out evenly over the day for optimal effectiveness and patient safety.