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Calculating the days supply of medication is a fundamental skill for pharmacy professionals. It helps ensure patients receive the correct amount of medication and aids in inventory management. Below are practice problems with solutions to enhance your understanding of days supply calculations.
Practice Problem 1
A patient is prescribed 30 tablets of medication, to be taken once daily. The pharmacy dispenses 30 tablets. What is the days supply?
Solution:
Days supply = Total quantity dispensed / Daily dosage
Days supply = 30 tablets / 1 tablet per day = 30 days
Practice Problem 2
A prescription calls for 60 mL of medication, with a dosing schedule of 10 mL twice daily. How many days will this supply last?
Solution:
Daily dosage = 10 mL x 2 = 20 mL
Days supply = 60 mL / 20 mL per day = 3 days
Practice Problem 3
A patient receives 90 tablets, to be taken as 3 tablets four times daily. How many days will the medication last?
Solution:
Daily dosage = 3 tablets x 4 times = 12 tablets
Days supply = 90 tablets / 12 tablets per day = 7.5 days
Practice Problem 4
A prescription provides 120 mL of cough syrup. The dosing schedule is 15 mL every 6 hours. How many days will this last?
Solution:
Number of doses per day = 24 hours / 6 hours = 4 doses
Daily dosage = 15 mL x 4 = 60 mL
Days supply = 120 mL / 60 mL per day = 2 days
Practice Problem 5
A patient is prescribed 45 tablets, to be taken twice daily. How many days will the supply last?
Solution:
Daily dosage = 2 tablets x 1 day = 2 tablets
Days supply = 45 tablets / 2 tablets per day = 22.5 days
Summary
Understanding how to calculate days supply helps ensure proper medication management and patient safety. Practice these problems regularly to improve your proficiency in pharmacy calculations.