A client receives a prescription for tetracycline 500 mg by mouth every 12 h. The medication is available in 250 mg capsules. How many capsule(s) should the nurse administer each day? (Enter numerical value only.)

Ordered dose of tetracycline: 500 mg every 12 hours Available tetracycline capsules: 250 mg/capsule Step 1: Determine the total daily dose of tetracycline: Since the medication is given every 12 hours, there are 2 administrations per day. Total daily dose (mg) = Dose per administration (mg) x Number of administrations per day Total daily dose (mg) = 500 mg/dose x 2 doses/day Total daily dose (mg) = 1000 mg/day Step 2: Calculate the number of capsules required per day: Number of capsules/day = Total daily dose (mg) / Strength of each capsule (mg/capsule) Number of capsules/day = 1000 mg/day / 250 mg/capsule Number of capsules/day = 4 capsules/day