39. 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 patient's body surface area (BSA) is 1.5 m². How much 5-FU, in mg, is needed?
Answer: B
600 mg of 5-fluorouracil is needed.
To calculate the required dosage of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), multiply the patient's body surface area (BSA) of 1.5 m² by the prescribed dose of 400 mg/m². This results in 600 mg of 5-FU needed for the patient.
A) 400
This option is incorrect because it represents the dosage per square meter rather than the total dosage required for the patient's body surface area. The total dosage must consider the patient's BSA, which is 1.5 m².
B) 600
This option is correct as it accurately reflects the calculated total dosage of 5-FU. By multiplying the BSA of 1.5 m² by the prescribed dosage of 400 mg/m², the total amount required is 600 mg.
C) 800
This option is incorrect because it suggests a total dosage that is too high. The calculation shows that the total required dosage is 600 mg, derived from the correct multiplication of the BSA and the dose per square meter.
D) 1000
This option is also incorrect as it overestimates the required dosage. The correct calculation yields a total of 600 mg, and thus 1000 mg is not applicable for this patient's treatment regimen.
Conclusion
The calculation of 600 mg is definitive because it is based on the patient's body surface area and the prescribed dosage per square meter. All other options fail to reflect the proper computation necessary for accurate medication dosing, which is critical in a clinical setting for safe and effective treatment.