The healthcare provider prescribes acyclovir 800 mg PO every 6 hours for an adolescent with chicken pox. The drug is available in 400 mg tablets PO. How many tablets should the nurse administer to the client every 24 hours? (Enter the numeric value only.)

Calculation: Calculate the number of tablets to administer per dose. Number of tablets per dose = Desired dose (mg) / Available strength (mg/tablet) = 800 mg / 400 mg/tablet = 2 tablets. Calculate the number of doses to be administered in a 24-hour period. Number of doses in 24 hours = 24 hours / Frequency (hours) = 24 hours / 6 hours = 4 doses. Calculate the total number of tablets to be administered in 24 hours. Total tablets in 24 hours = Tablets per dose x Number of doses in 24 hours = 2 tablets x 4 doses = 8 tablets.