A patient is prescribed a total of 15 mg of Lorazepam daily, divided into three doses. If each tablet is 1 mg, how many tablets are needed for each dose?

Choice A reason: Calculating 15 mg daily divided into three doses yields 5 mg per dose. With 1 mg tablets, 3 tablets provide only 3 mg, underdosing the patient. Scientifically, inadequate benzodiazepine dosing may fail to manage anxiety or seizures, leading to uncontrolled symptoms, increased neuronal excitability, and potential harm. Choice B reason: Six tablets per dose (6 mg) exceed the required 5 mg per dose, risking overdose. Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, enhances GABA activity, and excessive dosing can cause sedation, respiratory depression, or cognitive impairment. Scientifically, precise dosing is critical to avoid adverse effects while ensuring therapeutic efficacy for anxiety or seizure control. Choice C reason: Dividing 15 mg daily into three doses equals 5 mg per dose. With 1 mg tablets, 5 tablets are needed per dose. This ensures therapeutic GABA enhancement for anxiety or seizure control without overdose risks. Scientifically, accurate dosing optimizes benzodiazepine efficacy, stabilizing neural activity and minimizing adverse effects. Choice D reason: Four tablets per dose (4 mg) fall short of the required 5 mg, reducing efficacy. Lorazepam’s anxiolytic effect relies on sufficient GABA receptor activation. Underdosing may lead to breakthrough anxiety or seizures, as subtherapeutic levels fail to modulate neuronal excitability, compromising patient safety and symptom management.