20. A pharmacy receives the following prescription: Acetaminophen 325 mg tablets #240 Sig: ii tablets by mouth every 3 hours The prescriber should be contacted for which of the following reasons?
Answer: B
The directions exceed the maximum total daily dose for acetaminophen
The prescription indicates that the patient should take two tablets of acetaminophen every three hours. Given the dosage provided, this exceeds the maximum recommended daily limit for acetaminophen, which raises concerns about potential toxicity.
A) The quantity written provides the patient with 15 days of acetaminophen therapy
While the quantity of 240 tablets may provide a sufficient supply for 15 days, this option does not address the critical issue of dosage frequency and safety. Therefore, it is not a valid reason to contact the prescriber regarding the prescription's safety.
B) The directions exceed the maximum total daily dose for acetaminophen
This option accurately identifies a significant concern with the prescription. Taking two tablets every three hours translates to 16 tablets in a 24-hour period, which amounts to 5,200 mg of acetaminophen. This dosage exceeds the recommended maximum of 4,000 mg per day, necessitating contact with the prescriber to adjust the prescription.
C) Acetaminophen 325 mg is available only as an oral solution
This statement is incorrect, as acetaminophen is widely available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, and oral solutions. Thus, this reason does not warrant contacting the prescriber regarding the prescription.
D) Acetaminophen is likely to cause a reaction if the patient is allergic to aspirin
While it is important to consider potential allergies, acetaminophen is not an NSAID and does not typically cause reactions in patients allergic to aspirin. Therefore, this concern is not a valid reason for contacting the prescriber.
Conclusion
Option B is the only choice that correctly highlights a critical safety issue with the prescription, as it exceeds the maximum daily dosage of acetaminophen. The other options either misinterpret the drug's properties or fail to address the primary concern of dosage safety, making them insufficient reasons for contacting the prescriber.