76. A patient presents the following prescription: Prednisone 20 mg b.i.d. x 2 days 20 mg every day x 2 days 10 mg every day x 2 days 5 mg every day x 2 days How many 10 mg tablets should be dispensed to fill the prescription completely?
Answer: C
15 tablets of 10 mg should be dispensed to fill the prescription completely.
The prescription requires a tapering dose of Prednisone, starting with 20 mg and gradually decreasing to 5 mg. To meet the requirement of 10 mg tablets specifically, a total of 15 tablets is needed throughout the course of the treatment.
A) 8
Option A is incorrect because dispensing 8 tablets of 10 mg does not provide enough medication to fulfill the prescription requirements. The tapering schedule necessitates more than 8 tablets to complete the 10 mg dosage needed.
B) 10
Option B is incorrect since 10 tablets of 10 mg would also be insufficient. The patient requires a total of 15 tablets to meet the tapering dosage outlined in the prescription.
C) 15
Option C is correct as it accurately reflects the total number of 10 mg tablets needed to meet the tapering schedule of the prescription. The breakdown includes 0 tablets needed for the initial 20 mg doses, followed by the necessary 15 tablets for the 10 mg, ensuring the patient receives the appropriate dosage.
D) 20
Option D is incorrect because dispensing 20 tablets of 10 mg exceeds the amount required for the prescription. The tapering schedule indicates that only 15 tablets are necessary to complete the prescribed course.
Conclusion
The correct answer is 15 tablets of 10 mg, as it aligns precisely with the tapering regimen specified in the prescription. All other options fail because they either underestimate or overestimate the quantity needed, demonstrating a clear understanding of the required dosing schedule.