76. Given the following prescription: Lactulose 10 g/15 mL 15 mL PO t.i.d. for 10 days How many tablespoonfuls should be taken at each dose?
Answer: A
One tablespoonful should be taken at each dose.
Each dose of Lactulose is 15 mL, which is equivalent to 1 tablespoonful, as there are 15 mL in one tablespoon.
A) 1
This option is correct because 15 mL is equivalent to 1 tablespoon. Therefore, the patient should take 1 tablespoonful at each dose as prescribed.
B) 2
This option is incorrect. If the patient were to take 2 tablespoonfuls, that would amount to 30 mL, which exceeds the prescribed dose of 15 mL.
C) 3
This option is also incorrect. Taking 3 tablespoonfuls would result in a total of 45 mL, which is significantly higher than the prescribed 15 mL dose.
D) 4
This option is incorrect for the same reason as the previous ones. A dose of 4 tablespoonfuls would mean 60 mL, far exceeding the prescribed amount of 15 mL.
Conclusion
The correct answer is 1 tablespoonful, as it directly corresponds to the prescribed dose of 15 mL. All other options suggest doses that are not only excessive but also unsafe, thereby failing to meet the requirements of the prescription.