Name:
Part 1: Case Study
Please answer the case questions in complete sentences. If you use a reference source other than your textbook, please site it in APA format. Each question is worth 5 points.
Amy is 25 and has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and is given thyroid replacement hormones.
1. What symptoms of hypothyroidism might she have been experiencing before beginning thyroid replacement therapy? Amy could have been experiencing sluggishness, fatigue, constipation, a puffy face, muscle weakness, and muscle aches (www.mayoclinic.com).
2. Amy has been taking the medication at night and since she started she has had trouble sleeping. What can you tell her? I would tell Amy that she should change taking her medication at night to taking it in the morning because the medication increases the metabolism resulting in insomnia.
3. Amy says she does not like taking medication and hopes to be able to discontinue the medication in a few months. What is your response? I would tell Amy that she needs to take her medication for the rest of her life. Even if she is feeling better she needs to take the medication every day to replace the thyroid hormone the body cannot produce.
Part 2: Dosage Calculations
1. Ordered: 5 mg po tid On hand: 2 mg scored tablets
• How many tablets do you need for each dose? If you break the tablet in half you have 1 mg per half. So you need 2 and half tablets to make 5 mg.
• How many tablets do you need for a thirty day supply? You’ll need 2.5 x 3 = 7.5 tablets for the day then you need to 7.5 x 30 = 225. You need 225 tablets for 30 days.
2. Ordered: 200 mg po q8h On hand: 125mg/5 mL
• How many mL’s do you need for each dose? 200mg divided by 125mg = 1.6 1.6 x 5ml = 8ml for a dose.
• How many mL’s do you need for a one-day supply? You would need to 8 x