Medication Concepts and Calculations Flashcards
6 cards from real MACE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
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A resident is prescribed 0.5 g of a medication. The medication is available in 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the medication aide administer?
Answer: 2 tablets
First, convert the prescribed dose to the same unit as the available medication. Since 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg), 0.5 g is equal to 500 mg (0.5 x 1000). Next, use the formula: (Dose ordered / Dose on hand) x Quantity = Amount to administer. (500 mg / 250 mg) x 1 tablet = 2 tablets.
Which of the following abbreviations means 'three times a day'?
Answer: TID
TID is the standard medical abbreviation for the Latin phrase 'ter in die,' which means three times a day. QID means four times a day, BID means twice a day, and PRN means as needed.
A physician orders 30 mL of an oral suspension for a resident. How many tablespoons should the medication aide administer?
Answer: 2 tablespoons
The standard conversion is 1 tablespoon (tbsp) is equal to 15 milliliters (mL). To find the number of tablespoons, divide the total milliliters by 15. 30 mL / 15 mL/tbsp = 2 tablespoons.
A resident is to receive 2 teaspoons of a liquid medication. Which of the following is the equivalent dose in milliliters (mL)?
Answer: 10 mL
One teaspoon (tsp) is equivalent to approximately 5 milliliters (mL). Therefore, 2 teaspoons would be 2 tsp x 5 mL/tsp = 10 mL.
When a medication is to be given 'sublingually,' where should the medication aide place the tablet?
Answer: Under the tongue
The term 'sublingual' literally means 'under the tongue.' This route allows for rapid absorption of the medication directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes.
A medication order reads 'Lisinopril 10 mg PO daily'. What does 'PO' stand for?
Answer: By mouth
'PO' is the medical abbreviation for the Latin term 'per os,' which means by mouth or orally. This is one of the most common routes of medication administration.