18. A regimen for colorectal cancer calls for 5-fluorouracil 5-FU. A pharmacy technician is asked to prepare an IV bolus of 5-FU 400 mg/m2. The patients body surface area BSA is 1.5 m2. How much 5-FU in mg is needed?
Answer: B
The required amount of 5-FU needed is 600 mg.
To calculate the amount of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) needed for the patient, you multiply the dosage per square meter (400 mg/m²) by the patient's body surface area (1.5 m²). This results in a total of 600 mg of 5-FU.
A) 400
Option A is incorrect because it represents the dosage per square meter rather than the total dosage required for the patient's body surface area. The calculation must account for the patient's BSA to determine the total amount of medication needed.
B) 600
Option B is correct as it accurately reflects the total dosage needed for the patient. The calculation is performed by multiplying 400 mg/m² by the BSA of 1.5 m², resulting in 600 mg, which is the precise amount required for the IV bolus.
C) 800
Option C is incorrect because it exceeds the calculated total dosage. The multiplication of the prescribed dose (400 mg/m²) by the BSA (1.5 m²) does not equal 800 mg, indicating a misunderstanding of the dosage calculation.
D) 1000
Option D is incorrect as it represents an even larger total than what is required. The calculation based on the patient's BSA shows that only 600 mg is necessary, thus making this option inaccurate for the given scenario.
Conclusion
The correct answer is 600 mg, as it is derived from the proper calculation of the prescribed dosage of 5-FU based on the patient's body surface area. Options A, C, and D fail to provide the correct total amount needed, highlighting the importance of correct dosage calculations in patient care.