The doctor orders Pepcid 10 mg by mouth three times a day. Instructions on the container say to reconstitute with water to make a concentration of 0.5 g/3 mL. How many ml/dose would you administer?

Given:
Ordered dose of Diazepam: 4 mg
Concentration of Diazepam oral solution: 5 mg/5 mL

Step 1: Set up the proportion:
Desired dose (mg) / Volume to administer (mL) = Concentration (mg/mL)

Step 2: Substitute the values:
4 mg / Volume = 5 mg/5 mL

Step 3: Solve for the unknown volume:
Volume = 4 mg / (5 mg/5 mL)
Volume = 4 mg x (5 mL/5 mg)
Volume = 4 mL

A) They should not be abruptly stopped:
Beta blockers should not be abruptly discontinued because sudden withdrawal can lead to rebound hypertension, tachycardia, and even a risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with heart disease. Gradual tapering is recommended to allow the body to adjust and avoid these adverse effects.

B) They are safe to take with herbal medications:
Herbal medications can interact with beta blockers and alter their effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. For example, herbs like St. John's wort can decrease the effectiveness of beta blockers, while others like ginseng may increase the risk of side effects like high blood pressure. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplements with beta blockers.

C) It isn't necessary to monitor lab results:
While beta blockers don't require regular lab tests for their direct effects, monitoring is important in certain patients, especially those with underlying conditions like heart failure, kidney disease, or diabetes. For example, monitoring renal function, electrolytes, and blood glucose may be necessary for patients who are taking other medications alongside beta blockers or who have coexisting conditions.

D) Taking over-the-counter medications is acceptable:
Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can interact with beta blockers and affect their effectiveness or cause adverse effects. For example, decongestants (found in many cold medications) can raise blood pressure and counteract the effects of beta blockers.