High School

A certain medicine is given in an amount proportional to a patient's body weight. Suppose a patient weighing 132 pounds requires 143 milligrams of medicine. What is the amount of medicine required by a patient weighing 156 pounds?

Answer :

132 pounds -> 143 milligrams

1 pound -> 143/132

156 pounds -> 143/132 * 156 = 169 milligrams

Final answer:

The amount of medicine required by a patient weighing 156 pounds is approximately 169 milligrams, determined by calculating the dosage per pound from the initial patient and applying it to the new body weight.

Explanation:

For a patient weighing 132 pounds who requires 143 milligrams of medicine, we use this information to find the proportional amount for a patient weighing 156 pounds. First, we calculate the dose per pound for the initial patient: 143 mg ÷ 132 lbs which equals approximately 1.0833 mg/lb.

Using this dosage calculation, we can determine the appropriate amount for the 156-pound patient by multiplying the dose per pound by the new body weight: 1.0833 mg/lb × 156 lbs equals approximately 169 mg.

This drug dosage calculation based on body weight is essential to ensure the patient receives the correct amount of medication, avoiding potential side effects from an overdose or ineffective treatment from an underdose.