A medication available as 1 g/10 mL is prescribed at 600 mg. How many mL should be given?

Calculation:

Ordered Dose = 900 mg

Available Dose = 300 mg

Number of tablets = Ordered Dose / Available Dose

= 900 / 300

= 3 tablets

Rationale:
A. Documenting the administration time in the patient's chart: Accurate documentation is essential for legal and safety reasons, but it does not directly ensure the therapeutic effectiveness related to peak and trough monitoring.

B. Administering the medication at the same time each day: Consistent timing helps maintain steady drug levels but does not provide the specific data needed to evaluate peak and trough concentrations for therapeutic monitoring.

C. Ensuring the patient swallows the medication with a full glass of water: While swallowing with water aids in absorption and reduces irritation, it does not directly address the measurement of drug levels to ensure therapeutic effectiveness.

D. Scheduling blood draws to coincide with expected peak and trough times: Monitoring peak and trough levels is critical for drugs with narrow therapeutic ranges. Drawing blood at appropriate times ensures accurate measurement of maximum and minimum serum concentrations, guiding safe and effective dosing.