ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7MathematicsHard
A patient is given a prescription for a pain reliever to be taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed. If the patient took the first dose at 08:00 on Monday, what is the earliest time on Tuesday they could take their fifth dose?
- A00:00 Tuesday
- B04:00 Tuesday
- C08:00 Tuesday
- D12:00 Tuesday
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 04:00 Tuesday
The patient needs 4 doses after the first. To find the earliest time for the 5th dose, we use the shortest interval (4 hours). First dose: 08:00 Mon. Second dose: 08:00 + 4h = 12:00 Mon. Third dose: 12:00 + 4h = 16:00 Mon. Fourth dose: 16:00 + 4h = 20:00 Mon. Fifth dose: 20:00 + 4h = 24:00 Mon (which is 00:00 Tuesday).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is the earliest time for the fifth dose, considering the shortest interval of 4 hours.
- C. This assumes a 24-hour interval for each subsequent dose after the first, which is incorrect for 'every 4-6 hours'.
- D. This is incorrect; it would imply a much longer interval between doses.
Medication Dosing Schedule
The timing and frequency of medication administration based on prescription instructions.
- 'Every X hours' means the interval between doses.
- 'As needed' (PRN) allows flexibility within the prescribed interval.
- Calculating earliest/latest doses requires careful time addition/subtraction.
Memory trick: Dosing times: Start, interval, count doses, track the clock.