A patient takes Ritalin 15 mg three times a day. The supply on hand is 5 mg tablets. How many tablets will be taken in one day?

A patient takes Ritalin 15 mg three times a day. The supply on hand is 5 mg tablets. How many tablets will be taken in one day?

• A. 6 tablets
• B. 12 tablets
• C. 9 tablets
• D. 3 tablets

Answer: (C)

Total daily dose = 15 mg per dose × 3 doses = 45 mg per day. Each tablet is 5 mg, so the number of tablets needed = 45 mg ÷ 5 mg per tablet = 9 tablets. So nine 5 mg tablets are taken in one day. The other counts would give 30 mg, 60 mg, or 15 mg, which don’t meet the 45 mg daily requirement.

Total daily dose = 15 mg per dose × 3 doses = 45 mg per day. Each tablet is 5 mg, so the number of tablets needed = 45 mg ÷ 5 mg per tablet = 9 tablets. So nine 5 mg tablets are taken in one day. The other counts would give 30 mg, 60 mg, or 15 mg, which don’t meet the 45 mg daily requirement.